TRAVEL TIPS
Packing 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.
Packing Tips

Traveling Abroad

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag

Travel Stress
Extra Tips for Traveling Abroad
Packing Tips

Traveling Abroad

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag

Travel Stress
Travel Insurance Tips
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.   
Packing Tips

Traveling Abroad

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag

Travel Stress
Avoiding Jet Lag
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!)
Packing Tips

Traveling Abroad

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag

Travel Stress
Avoiding Travel Stress
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!
Packing Tips

Traveling Abroad

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag

Travel Stress
Packing Tips

Traveling Abroad

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag

Travel Stress
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  • 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.