Travel really does broaden the mind but, without the necessary preparation, it can also be fraught with hazards. By following a few principles of world travel advice, it is possible to broaden the mind without compromising health, safety or sanity. With information so widely available on the Internet, it is easy to do the necessary homework.
The travel office of the US Department of State should be near the top of your list of places to look for information. They even have an app, called Smart Traveler, for your smart phone. Here you will find a vast amount of information about every country in the world. You can find out what the medical facilities are like, facts about crime rates, traffic safety and the location of the United States Embassy in that country.
Both the app and the website will have information about the relationship between your destination and the United States. You should be aware of any threats to United States citizens or details of any civil unrest. You may decide to make alterations to where you stay or even decide not to go altogether.
Before leaving the country, you will need a valid passport. Always check the date that your current passport expires and make sure it is updated well in advance of your departure. This is one area where American bureaucracy shines, so it should not present too much of a headache. Make sure also that it is valid for at least six months after your planned return. As efficient as embassy staff are, you do not want to discover at the airport that your passport has expired.
Some countries, especially where the weather is hot, have endemic diseases for which you need to get vaccinations. These include things like tetanus, cholera, smallpox, hepatitis and others. Another major health issue is malaria, for which there is no vaccine but you can take medication and other precautions such as wearing long clothing, applying insect repellent and using mosquito nets at night. The type of tablet you need to may vary from country to country, so make sure you are well informed. You may also need to continue to take malaria medication for a while after you return home.
Travel insurance is a definite necessity, especially medical coverage. Aim for at least one million dollars in medical coverage. If you become ill or injured while abroad, you may need to be repatriated by air ambulance. There may also be ongoing expenses after you return home. Also make sure your travel policy includes coverage for loss of luggage, theft and travel delays. Some polices have exclusions for local civil unrest, war, or acts of God such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
Another major pain in the neck faced by international travelers is being held up at Customs because they tried to bring something into the country that was not allowed. Make sure you know exactly what you can and not bring across the border. This especially applies to foodstuffs. Ignorance is no excuse, nor is trying to convince the officials that your auntie's favorite chocolates are not food. Many such items are allowable, but you do need to declare them. Know also what you may and not bring onto the plane. Some things, like duty-free alcohol, is allowable in the cargo luggage but not in the belongings you take onto the aircraft.
Before you go abroad, make sure you have your passport updated, that you have had the necessary immunizations and that you have the right travel insurance. Get plenty of world travel advice so you know what the weather is like as well as the political atmosphere in your destination. Apart from that, have fun!
The travel office of the US Department of State should be near the top of your list of places to look for information. They even have an app, called Smart Traveler, for your smart phone. Here you will find a vast amount of information about every country in the world. You can find out what the medical facilities are like, facts about crime rates, traffic safety and the location of the United States Embassy in that country.
Both the app and the website will have information about the relationship between your destination and the United States. You should be aware of any threats to United States citizens or details of any civil unrest. You may decide to make alterations to where you stay or even decide not to go altogether.
Before leaving the country, you will need a valid passport. Always check the date that your current passport expires and make sure it is updated well in advance of your departure. This is one area where American bureaucracy shines, so it should not present too much of a headache. Make sure also that it is valid for at least six months after your planned return. As efficient as embassy staff are, you do not want to discover at the airport that your passport has expired.
Some countries, especially where the weather is hot, have endemic diseases for which you need to get vaccinations. These include things like tetanus, cholera, smallpox, hepatitis and others. Another major health issue is malaria, for which there is no vaccine but you can take medication and other precautions such as wearing long clothing, applying insect repellent and using mosquito nets at night. The type of tablet you need to may vary from country to country, so make sure you are well informed. You may also need to continue to take malaria medication for a while after you return home.
Travel insurance is a definite necessity, especially medical coverage. Aim for at least one million dollars in medical coverage. If you become ill or injured while abroad, you may need to be repatriated by air ambulance. There may also be ongoing expenses after you return home. Also make sure your travel policy includes coverage for loss of luggage, theft and travel delays. Some polices have exclusions for local civil unrest, war, or acts of God such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
Another major pain in the neck faced by international travelers is being held up at Customs because they tried to bring something into the country that was not allowed. Make sure you know exactly what you can and not bring across the border. This especially applies to foodstuffs. Ignorance is no excuse, nor is trying to convince the officials that your auntie's favorite chocolates are not food. Many such items are allowable, but you do need to declare them. Know also what you may and not bring onto the plane. Some things, like duty-free alcohol, is allowable in the cargo luggage but not in the belongings you take onto the aircraft.
Before you go abroad, make sure you have your passport updated, that you have had the necessary immunizations and that you have the right travel insurance. Get plenty of world travel advice so you know what the weather is like as well as the political atmosphere in your destination. Apart from that, have fun!
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