Travel Preparation
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Make sure you've allowed plenty of time for these too:
1) Passport....
If you don't have a passport, get one as soon as you start thinking that you want to travel. U.S. Passports are good for 10 years, and once you have your passport, maybe you'll be more apt to actually make those plans.
Apply early, during peak travel preparation seasons, passport can take longer to get.
U.S. citizens should remember that rules have changed even for travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean... passports are necessary more than ever... they're an essential part of travel preparation.
Put this at the top of your custom tour planning list. You can download a passport application from the US State Department. Citizens of other countries should contact their government passport agency.
2) Visas....
A visa is permission from the county you will be visiting to allow you to enter. All counties have a visa process, but it varies from country to country. Some you will need to get before you leave, others will be issued formally or informally on entry and some countries don't require a visa for short visits.
Add this to your custom tour planning list once you've decided on your itinerary. We have a whole section on information about when you need them and how to apply for passports and visas.
3) Vaccinations....
If you have never had any travel vaccinations, be sure to allow enough time...
- --some vaccinations are a series spaced days or weeks apart...
--some vaccinations need days to become effective...
So let me repeat... allow enough time!
Our page on vaccinations might be a good addition to your custom tour planning list. Your health is important. There are other health tips in that section too, so look around. We're glad to help.
4) Paying for it....
- A) Paying with a credit card is instant. Remember to check which card will give you the best rate if you're paying in foreign currency... the wrong card can add 3% to your trip cost! And in some countries, they may add the fee they are charged by the credit card company to your cost.
One of our readers sent in a great tip on Ways to lower international transaction fees.
B) Wiring your payment.... Once you've talked to your bank this generally happens overnight.... but you want to be sure you get confirmation and take that with you.
C) Some small US agencies may actually want you to pay with a personal check or money order.
5) Gather together your documentation....
Passport, itinerary, vouchers, confirmations. Don't leave anything at home that way you will leave the minimum to chance..... and chance always comes into play! We have a travel document checklist to help you too.
6) Check everything off on your custom tour planing list
Then check on our international travel health tips and our packing pages.....
Get to packing, and get going!!!!
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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