“All journeys have secret destinations of
which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Buber
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| Passports, visa and map |
Use a free translation program to make luggage tags in both the language of the country you are from and the language
of the country you are visiting. Make sure that any bag you take has a tag on
and/or inside it. You’ll also want to print up slips of paper that list any
allergies you may have, including food allergies. This makes ordering food and talking with medical personnel much easier.
Think about safety. Most places have low instances of
violent crime, but they may also have high instances of petty theft. Carry
valuables, such as passports and bank cards, inside your clothes; consider
pick-pocket proof purses, and money belts. Rather than traveler’s checks, most
folks take bank cards and get cash as needed; credit cards cost the vender a
rather hefty fee, so merchants prefer cash. Credit cards are expected to pay
for hotels, rent cars, train tickets and so forth. Pay attention to which ATMs
you use, making sure that your bank card logo is shown, and guard access to your PIN.
Getting where you’re going by plane is best booked as early
as possible, certainly not closer than two weeks before departure. Generally,
it is just a cheap to book on the airline website as it is through a third
party provider, and it’s not a myth that Wednesdays are the best day to book a
flight.
If you are hiring a car to drive in a foreign country, it’s
cheaper to do it from the States and using a third party website may be more
economical. Make sure that you take your driver’s license, proof of medical
insurance, credit card and your passport when you go to pick up your car.
Different countries have different requirements for renting a car; check these
requirements before reserving the car. In Scotland you have to be younger than
70 years to rent a car. Driving means that you have to have maps you can read
easily whether you do or do not have a GPS. Planning your routes on Google Maps or other map program will
give you a good idea of distances and times. Thirty miles may take 30 minutes
in one area but 2 hours in another. This will also help in picking where you’ll
stay; you will know if you’re doing day trips or if you have to pick more than
one hotel.
Using a third party website may also be the most economical
method for booking a hotel or other accommodation. You can always check
individual sites to make sure that you are getting the best deal. If you
consider guest houses or bed and breakfast accommodations rather than hotels,
you will need to determine which sorts of bath facilities you are comfortable
using. In some places you’ll share with one or more other rooms. If you are
particular, make sure that you ask before booking. What you want to do really
affects where you’ll stay. Walking tours mean the necessity of maps and some
research regarding what’s in what area. Websites that show you the ‘Best of’ a
particular place are helpful in making housing decisions, as are current
weather sites and specific travel sites such as Lonely Planet or Rick Steves. If you are considering
tours, be sure to check them out carefully and read all of the reviews!
Food is a cultural experience and grocery stores are great
fun to explore. Many times you can figure out what is in the package from the
pictures on the label. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be approached with
caution. If you can’t drink the water, you shouldn’t be eating raw, thin-skinned
fruits and vegetables. Fresh breads are a good option for snacks. Cheeses may
or may not be pasteurized; deli meats will probably not be processed in the
same way they are in the States. I try pretty much try everything that’s been
cooked knowing that I run the risk of needing a dose of Imodium. I usually do
not eat ‘stick food’ from street vendors since there is a chance that even
cooked food may not have reached a high enough temperature to kill parasites.
If you have to drink bottled water, you must use bottled
water to brush your teeth and you cannot order drinks with ice unless that ice
was made from purified water. This includes frozen drinks, such as Margaritas. Getting
large bottles of water from a grocery store is much cheaper than buying
multiple smaller bottles. In Rome, Italy you can drink the water right out of
the city fountains; in Naples drink only bottled beverages!
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| Laptop, tablet, camera, phone, e-reader |
Laptop, phone, camera, e-reader, iPod, tablet, etc., etc.,
etc. Some destinations are techno-friendly; others, not so much. If you need a
laptop, take it; if you can get by with just your phone, then ditch the laptop.
If your phone takes great pictures, you may not need a camera. In any case, you
will need electrical adapters
for all of your electronics including hair dryers and curling irons.
©2013 NearNormal Design and Production Studio - All rights including copyright of photographs and designs, as well as intellectual rights are reserved.
©2013 NearNormal Design and Production Studio - All rights including copyright of photographs and designs, as well as intellectual rights are reserved.
