International Travels: 10 Things You’re Best Advised to Take Care of Before Embarking on Your Journey

It can be very exciting planning a trip. It can be even more exciting when you’re planning on traveling internationally. We can get so wrapped up in planning a vacation that we may forget that we need to take care of certain things before we pack our bags and head out. There are many things to think about when we are traveling internationally. For instance; healthcare in case you or your loved one gets hurt. What should you do if you lose your EU health card? Here are 10 things you’re best advised to take care of before embarking on your journey.

• Make extra copies of your travel documents
• Print out all of your itinerary
• Notify your bank in advance
• Make sure to have emergency cash
• Find out what documents do you need to enter the country you are traveling to
• Let your doctor know you are traveling
• Research local customs
• Get converters and adapters for your electronics
• Pack extra clothes in your carryon bag
• Bring snacks

MAKE EXTRA COPIES OF YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Make sure to make copies of your travel documents before you leave. Leave one at home and take a copy with you. While no one plans on losing their documents when traveling, you never know what will happen or what situation you will be faced with, so make sure to have some backup just for your safety. You may also want to register with your embassy. If something happens, or there’s a problem in the country you’re in, it will make it easier for your government to contact you and make sure you’re safe.

PRINT OUT ALL OF YOUR ITINERARY

Print out hard copies of everything! If for some reason Wi-Fi isn’t working when you need it, you will have your information on hand. Wi-Fi may not be available in all of the places you are traveling to, so you shouldn’t depend on it. You also want to make sure to print out your itinerary and what you have been charged so hotels and rental car places won’t try to overcharge you by giving you one figure. If you don’t, you’ll basically be at their mercy because it will be your word against theirs. Having a hard copy will definitely be favorable for you if you have your itinerary in writing.

NOTIFY YOUR BANK IN ADVANCE

Notifying your bank is extremely important. Notifying them will keep them from putting a restriction on your card due to fraud or identity theft. If they think that someone has stolen your card or number, they will disable your card. Make sure to do this in advance so you don’t have this issue and you don’t have to waste your time or get charged roaming fees trying to get a hold of your bank. You should be able to call the number on the back of the card for your convenience and it should only take a few minutes.

MAKE SURE TO HAVE EMERGENCY CASH

Your bank card may not be accepted everywhere. It’s important to have cash on hand for that reason alone. It would be even better if you had local currency for your convenience in case you may need to take a bus or a train. You can find a bank or an ATM in the country you are traveling to as the fees may not be much compared to conversion centers in the airports.

FIND OUT WHAT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO ENTER THE COUNTRY YOU ARE TRAVELING TO

Certain countries require certain documents to enter. In the process of obtaining these documents you might need to get your picture taken again. You can get your passport photos calgary at Photo Studio Calgary. Research what documents you need to have on hand before you get there. While some countries require a passport, some countries may require a Visa.

LET YOUR DOCTOR KNOW YOU ARE TRAVELING

Speak with your doctor before you leave and let him know where you will be traveling. If you are required to take certain medications, you may need a not from your doctor to bring them into certain countries. You may also need to be vaccinated.

RESEARCH LOCAL CUSTOMS

Researching the local customs is a good idea just so you will know what to expect. Reading up on what they do, how they act will allow you to communicate effectively without offending a local. Sometimes handshaking may not mean what it means in the United States. Communicating in foreign countries is very different, it would be a good idea to learn some everyday phrases so you can at least communicate the basics. Reading up on travel blogs like Smiling Way who have traveled to your destination would also be a good idea as they will have advice on local customs!

GET CONVERTERS AND ADAPTERS FOR YOUR ELECTRONICS

When traveling to different countries, it’s important to know that their voltage is not the same as the voltage in the United States. Make sure to get a world travel adapter otherwise your electronics may not work properly.

PACK EXTRA CLOTHES IN YOUR CARRYON BAG

Make sure to put extra clothes in your carryon bag. If something happens to your luggage or it gets lost, you’ll at least have a change of clothes to tide you over. There’s nothing worse than having lost your luggage and not having a change of clothes. That can become very uncomfortable.

BRING SNACKS

Check to see what you can and cannot bring into the country and take some appropriate snacks with you. Many people find that when traveling to another country they aren’t used to the local food and it may take some time to find something that you really like. If you take some snacks with you, you may be able to survive until you find that perfect restaurant.

This may all seem overwhelming at first, but once you decide where you’re traveling, you should immediately start getting your affairs in order; with your passport or visa being first on the list. Start researching the country you’re going to and get familiar with what the locals do. Once you have all your affairs in order, your trip should run smoothly and you should be worried and stress-free so that you can enjoy your amazing vacation!