Travel Tips

Pack light!

An expandable bag is great for trips when you are likely to bring home
souvenirs!
If you are going to a tourist destination, you are probably going to buy
that new sweatshirt or t-shirt, so don't take them with you.
When space or weight restrictions apply, think disposeables. For
example, save up underwear or t-shirts that are ready to be thrown out
and pack those, then dispose of them, replacing that space in your
suitcase with something wonderful from the gift shops!
Check hotel websites to see if they supply hair dryers in the rooms
Don't take expensive or precious jewelry with you. Get a cheap digital
watch with alarm (it will come in handy!) and leave your Rolex safe at
home.
Check on adapters for computers, modems, razors, or anything electric
or rechargeable.
If possible, leave your car and house keys at home.
Pick a basic color, like black or navy, and build around that. Mixing and
matching is easier in one color scheme and can make your wardrobe
look more extensive. Use hotel valet service to keep looking fresh on
less clothing.
Contact lens solutions and/or spare glasses, water conditions may be
significantly different and cause a bad reaction.
Business Cards, take plenty because these are great when shipping
purchases or meeting new friends
Going site-seeing in Cathedrals, castles or museums? A small mirror
can save a lot of neck pain if there's great stuff on the ceilings!
Condoms may not be readily available in some countries.
Weather conditions iffy? Think of supplex or polypropelene pants and
shirts. They dry quickly and are light weight.
Site-seeing equipment might include a day pack, small backpack, fanny
pack, neck wallet, or money belt. Be sure to keep your passport and
any airline paper tickets securely with you at all times. Think about how
much you will need to carry when deciding what type of pack: phrase
books, guidebooks, maps, water, sunglasses, camera??
Small digital cameras with EXTRA LARGE storage capacity make more
sense than hauling around a lot of expensive equipment. Unless you
intend to sell these pictures, use your digital and buy postcards!
If you need to carry a pager or beeper, or check voicemail while abroad
you may need a small electrical device to generate the appropriate
phone tones, check with a store like Radio Shack for advice.

There are several ways to get travel insurance. Most major credit cards offer it
if you pay for a trip with their card; most travel agencies and airlines also offer
different insurance options. Here's a few things to consider:

Standard coverage should include lost luggage, delays, cancellation of
travel, overseas medical and hospital expenses, and some form of
evacuation under hazardous conditions.
If traveling internationally, do not pass through customs before
contacting the airlines about lost luggage. On some airlines, this will
void their liability.
Look into the insurance company before you travel. One thing to make
sure of is a 24/7 hot-line available 365 days a year. Make sure you
have that number prominently written on your travel itinerary.
If you travel a great deal, you might want to consider taking out an
annual travel insurance policy rather than many individual ones.
Make sure that your policy covers damage done to camera, video or
computer equipment. Check to see if it is a replacement cost and if
there will be cash advances made during the trip to cover the loss.
Ask what activities they consider "high risk" and what that means to
your coverage.
Check to see if (and how) you will be compensated if missed
connections cause you to miss a special event.
Double check the medical coverage for each of the countries you will be
traveling in, and through, so that if anything happens en route you are
still covered. Some insurance policies will offer "emergency reunion"
options, which sends a relative to wherever you are if you're
hospitalized.
Make enquiries about how your travel insurance will cover you in case
of terrorist activities, including kidnapping.
Ask if your insurance covers reimbursement if you need to cancel a trip
at the last minute due to terrorist acts in the country you are visiting or
because of travel alerts issued from the US State Department.

Some folks say that your body needs one day per time zone crossed to fully
recover. Which means you'll probably recover just in time to go back home!

Jet lag is most often worse traveling from west to east, because you're
traveling against the natural sun progression.
As soon as the plane takes off, set your watch for the time zone in which
you will land. Start thinking of yourself already in that time zone and try
to get into step with sleeping and eating as much as possible.
If you need to be in top shape the minute you land, try easing yourself
into that time zone for a day or two ahead of departure.
On a long flights, avoid alcohol, drink lots of water or juice instead. Your
body dehydrates in the pressurized cabin, so drinking water will help
you feel fresher, keep your skin from feeling dry and give you a good
reason to get up occasionally!
Get up and move around as often as you are able. If you can't walk in
the aisles, at least make a point of rotating your ankles and wrists
several times in each direction at least every half hour.
If it is nighttime at your destination, try to nap. If it is daytime there, try
not to nap. When you get off the plane, you will probably want to be in
whatever time schedule the location is.
If it is morning when you land, resist the urge to go to sleep. Aim
instead for a refreshing shower and a nice walk; sunshine will be a
great help in resetting your biological clock. A short nap after lunch,
limited to 20-40 minutes, will help you make it through dinner! If you're
very tired on your first night, you will be more likely to sleep well and
wake up less time-confused!
If you will arrive at night, but it will still be morning for your internal clock,
you might want to consider having your doctor prescribe a mild
sleeping aid for this first night. (It takes up less room than a dull book
and works more efficiently!)

Studies show that health problems tend to increase among employees who
travel often. Corporate travelers are especially vulnerable because of the
sudden changes in climate, daily routine, sleep patterns, and high intensity
workload. Here are some tips for keeping some of the stress at bay:

If you travel weekly, don't deal with the packing and unpacking; just stay
packed!

Keep a set of "travel" toiletries packed, replacing things as
needed. These will feel "homey" when you use them.
When you stay in hotels often, you know which ones have good
valet and laundry services. Leave your dirty clothes in the bag
and just give them to the valet as soon as you arrive; you'll have
nice fresh clothes for the rest of the trip. Conversely, give your
laundry to the valet the day before you leave and pack the clean
clothes ready for next week's trip.
Get "travel" clothes, items made specially because the material
holds up well to the rigors of suitcase life. Build your wardrobe
around two or three basic items that you can rely on to look great
right out of the suitcase. Changing shirt/blouse and tie/scarf can
make the same neutral suit look entirely different the next day.

Slow down a little bit. Instead of arriving at the airport just in time to
almost miss your flight, schedule yourself for that two hour time frame
the airlines request.

Bring a good book; indulge in a guilty pleasure, like a specialty
coffee or iced drink; just relax for an hour before boarding the
plane.
If the gate your plane leaves from is crowded, move down or
across to one that's not as busy, you'll still be able to hear the
boarding call and it will be more relaxing to read without all the
bustle.
Shop for small items. Lots of the airport concessions have
sales on jewelry, scarves, books etc. Consider this your
birthday/holiday shopping trip. (Just remember that you have to
carry it now!)
Rewarding yourself (instead of punishing) will help to cut down
on the stress to your immune system and boost your spirits!

Stay in touch with home! Nothing makes you feel better than knowing
the score of this afternoon's soccer game or that little Janey got an A on
her science test. Catching up is difficult, staying in touch is easy!
Eat right!! Take time out for good meals, not fast food! Ask the folks
around you for restaurant suggestions. Try not to order room service
unless absolutely necessary!
Sleep is vital. Lack of sleep will make you moody, angry, and stressed
out. That just makes you even more vulnerable to illness. If you can't
sleep in unfamiliar surroundings, try getting a small travel alarm that
has white noise sleep enhancers. Sometimes something as simple
as turning on the fan, without heat or air conditioning, creates just
enough comfort noise to help you sleep.
If there is a pool or workout room, exercise is a great stress reliever.
You can also get elastic bands that don't take up room or weight in
suitcases but can give you some good stretching exercise in your room.
Try to have a little fun, even on a business trip. A 20 minute walk,
window shopping or in the park, will make you feel much better!

Before you leave, be sure to fill in the emergency information page of
your passport so that someone can be contacted at home if there is an
emergency and you are not able to do it yourself. If you haven't traveled
recently with this passport, double check this information.
Make a copy of your passport identification page and leave it at home
with relatives or friends.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that you
can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Don't carry excessive amounts of currency or unnecessary credit cards
with you. Deal only with authorized agents when exchanging money or
purchasing art or antiques.
If you get into trouble, contact the nearest US Embassy immediately.
Remember, the US Constitution does not follow your travels! When
you are in a foreign country, you are subject to their laws and
punishments.