Traveling First Class – International Travel Tips

Traveling to a foreign country is a wonderful adventure, but it has its risks, like any adventure. These first class international travel tips will not only make the journey smoother, they will protect you in case something unforeseen happens.

• Traveling abroad requires a Passport and in some cases a Visa, but many people fail to make back-up copies of these important documents. Always make copies to leave with friends or relatives as well as copies to keep with you, but in a separate location from the originals, in case your Passport or Visa is lost or stolen. Having the copies will make replacement much easier and will help identify you to local authorities.

• Give your travel itinerary to friends or relatives before leaving the country. Someone should always have a way of contacting you in case of an emergency.

• One of the most important first class international travel tips available is also the one travelers most often ignore – don’t carry too much cash or too many credit cards. It’s tempting to carry these in case you come across the bargain of a lifetime, but pickpockets can spot tourists so easily. They may see you as their bargain of a lifetime!

• Know where the U.S. Embassy or American Consulate is in every city you visit. Have the phone number for these offices handy at all times. This may sound overly cautious, but in the very slight chance that you need them, you probably won’t have time to look them up.

• Before leaving home, register with the U.S. Consulate’s website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ . By registering your itinerary here, the United States Department of State can quickly find you in the event of a national emergency or a politically dangerous situation in the country you are visiting in order to bring you home.

• Cell phones are such a part of our lives that we use them routinely without thinking about the cost these days. Most first class international travel tips are only now beginning to address this issue. Here’s the problem – overseas cell phone calls are charged at a much higher rate, and the “free nights and weekends” thing doesn’t apply. Unless it’s a necessity, don’t call home by cell phone unless you want to be welcomed home by a phone bill in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

• Resist the urge to purchase local products from unlicensed vendors. Countries like Egypt are especially strict about buying antiquities from dealers who are operating under the radar. You could be purchasing something that is not allowed to leave the country. An arrest by customs officials in a foreign country isn’t the perfect end to your vacation. ~Don’t Forget to Guard Your Health

International travel is one of the most thrilling cultural experiences you will ever have, but you do want to take some precautions while in foreign countries to ensure unexpected health emergencies don’t cut your adventure short.

• Whether traveling first class or coach, don’t drink alcohol when flying internationally. The cabin pressure changes combined with dehydration intensify the effects of alcohol, and you don’t want to end up intoxicated when you arrive at your destination. Instead, drink plenty of bottled water in order to stay hydrated and refreshed.

• Always keep complete medical information on you, including a list of the prescription medications you are currently taking and the dosages as well as any medical conditions you have. If you are in an accident or become ill, this information can be a life saver in a foreign country where no one knows you.

• Be sure you see your doctor at least six weeks before you leave the country to get all of the needed vaccines. Some vaccines aren’t fully effective for six weeks, so you do want to allow time for them to reach their full potential.

• If you are taking malaria medication, be sure you take all of it and take it exactly as prescribed. Much like antibiotics, malaria medicine won’t be effective unless you take the full dosage as prescribed, which means remembering to take it during your travels.

• Use insect repellent in areas that are prone to insect-borne illnesses. The best protection comes from repellents containing DEET, so check the labels and be sure to use the repellent every day.

• Research the health concerns in the areas you are visiting. In Africa, for instance, you should avoid swimming in fresh water lakes or streams because of the chance of contracting certain diseases.

• If you take daily medications, always have some with you and some in your hotel room (in a safe, if possible). This way you are protected against two unlikely but possible events – room theft and mugging. Remember, it may be difficult to replace a prescription in a foreign country. Which reminds me – ask your doctor for replacement prescription papers for anything you might need just in case.

With proper advance planning, you can always make your vacation a success. The fist class international travel tips above should make the process a bit easier, and make your international vacation a truly memorable one. Don’t Forget to Guard Your Health

International travel is one of the most thrilling cultural experiences you will ever have, but you do want to take some precautions while in foreign countries to ensure unexpected health emergencies don’t cut your adventure short.

• Whether traveling first class or coach, don’t drink alcohol when flying internationally. The cabin pressure changes combined with dehydration intensify the effects of alcohol, and you don’t want to end up intoxicated when you arrive at your destination. Instead, drink plenty of bottled water in order to stay hydrated and refreshed.

• Always keep complete medical information on you, including a list of the prescription medications you are currently taking and the dosages as well as any medical conditions you have. If you are in an accident or become ill, this information can be a life saver in a foreign country where no one knows you.

• Be sure you see your doctor at least six weeks before you leave the country to get all of the needed vaccines. Some vaccines aren’t fully effective for six weeks, so you do want to allow time for them to reach their full potential.

• If you are taking malaria medication, be sure you take all of it and take it exactly as prescribed. Much like antibiotics, malaria medicine won’t be effective unless you take the full dosage as prescribed, which means remembering to take it during your travels.

• Use insect repellent in areas that are prone to insect-borne illnesses. The best protection comes from repellents containing DEET, so check the labels and be sure to use the repellent every day.

• Research the health concerns in the areas you are visiting. In Africa, for instance, you should avoid swimming in fresh water lakes or streams because of the chance of contracting certain diseases.

• If you take daily medications, always have some with you and some in your hotel room (in a safe, if possible). This way you are protected against two unlikely but possible events – room theft and mugging. Remember, it may be difficult to replace a prescription in a foreign country. Which reminds me – ask your doctor for replacement prescription papers for anything you might need just in case.

With proper advance planning, you can always make your vacation a success. The fist class international travel tips above should make the process a bit easier, and make your international vacation a truly memorable one.