Going outside of a country for a quick getaway or a vacation is great. You get to experience local customs, and you meet a lot of new people and learn a thing or two that you can use when you get back home. It’s an experience you can talk about for the rest of your life.
However, before you pack your bags and leave, read this article about how you can have the perfect travel experience. A step by step plan on how you can go to your planned country of destination without any hassle.
The first thing you need to consider after you have determined your destination are the documents required. No, not the travel dates but the documents required to enter the country. You may have all the tickets and the hotels booked and even your scuba diver instructor prepared on the other side of the world, but without the proper documents, you’ll find yourself waiting in the US airport for nothing. Go to the government’s official website and look for the country you wanted to go. Some countries will only require a passport, while some would require an additional visa. There are other countries that also require you to have some shots or immunization done before travel.
Next of course is the travel date. To experience the country better, don’t go there during the rainy season. You don’t want to be wet all the time during your stay, and you just want to hang out in the sun or visit a hundred year old museum. If you are going to Australia, it’s best to go there when it’s winter here: the folks down south celebrate Christmas during the summer months of December to February. Most of the time these months would be the peak tourist season, and this could be expensive but its still in your advantage, and you can have new friends from other countries as well.
Now for the safety side: when your travel plans are complete such as the flights, hotel and all other things, leave a copy of all the contact information, including you travel plans with a friend or a trusted relative. Leave also a photocopy of your passport. This would really help you if things get bad. Bring also another copy of your passport in case you lose it. If you are already at your destination, grab only the things, money and credit card that you will spend. Expensive jewelry and watches should be a no-no when you go out. You will just attract thieves and when you get robbed, everything falls down from there. Before you leave, have all the contact information on the US Embassy. A passport will always get you through the embassy and if you lose it, a photocopy will always help.
Finally, it’s alway best to check what kind of medical insurance is available for you while traveling in your destination. Check with your health insurance company if your policy can cover you overseas and in the specific country where you will be traveling. If the coverage is not available there, consider purchasing a supplemental coverage or a separate travel insurance.
Being prepared is very important when you are traveling abroad. It’s the preparation that counts and it will allow you to enjoy your quick getaway or very long vacation.
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It is also important to discuss with your health insurance agent what type of traveling you intend to do. For instance, adventure travel (skydiving, bungee jumping, etc) may not be covered under your plan. There is coverage for these activities, but you must have it BEFORE you travel.
Comment by Carin — September 8, 2007 @ 6:12 am