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Trip Planning and Arrangements

Here is a collection of items to consider as you arrange your trip. There is an enormous amount of information available on the internet and in guide books covering these topics. We've tried to condense this a bit by providing some basic information and suggesting some links to pursue if you need more detail.

And,if you haven't watched this series, you should!

Travel Companies are a Great Resource

There are dozens of terrific travel companies. Many have outstanding catalogs which showcase their trips. Some include itinerary detail. Most include information on the best months to travel to particular locations. Here are just a few to take a look at.

• GAP Adventures
• Active Journeys
• InnTravel
• Mountain Travel Sobek
• Wilderness Travel
• Sherpa Expeditions
• Overseas Adventure Travel
• National Geographic Expeditions

Whether you choose to travel with a travel company or to head out on your own, whether you choose to spend a lot of money or try the economy route, whether you want to hike, walk, bike, ride a bus, take the train, or drive a car, you can good ideas by reviewing what these companies have to offer.

Look at Other Trip Packages

There are so many trips to so many places! Some people enjoy the mountains, others like the beach. Some people like quiet and others want to be in the middle of the action. Here are a few other sources to study.

Consider LuxuryLink They offer a worldwide selection of choices!

Take a trip on the Orient Express. They operate trains and a river cruiser in Europe, Asia and South America, including the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Rail Europe offers a variety of fascinating trips and special deals throughout Europe. Use this link to check out schedules and fares.

Whether you travel on your own or with a group, get a good guidebook. We have learned this lesson the hard way. It pays to get the most recent edition of a travel guide before you depart on your trip. Things change - hotel names, restaurants and the like. If your travel guide is more than a few years old, some of the most important information may be out of date. It would be a shame to miss something important because the opening or closing times changed, or the entrance procedures are different. Please make sure your travel guide is current!

There are many travel guides available and most cover the same content - each with their own slight variation. Here are just a few to consider.

• Rick Steves Travel Guides
• Fodor's
• Rough Travel Guides
• Lonely Planet Travel Guides
• Insight Travel Guides

You can easily find these in most major book stores and on the internet. We particularly enjoy the Lonely Planet Guides which you can download and store on your travel computer or Kindle.

State Department Background Notes

Another source of information is the Background Notes published by U.S. State Department which are easily accessible on the internet. These factual publications contain information on countries with which the United States has diplomatic relations. They include facts on each country's land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and relations with other countries and the United States.

Our webpage what to pack will give you many ideas and suggestions.

Travel Guard can provide you with coverage for unexpected medical expenses while on a trip.

Take all security regulations seriously. Be sure to check the latest Transportation Security Administration tips on air travel security and become informed before you fly.

For the bags you plan to check...

• Don't lock them - security will open them
• Know how many bags you can check
• Find out how much each bag can weigh. Here is a handly scale you can use.

For carry-on bags...

• Know how many bags you can carry on
• Carry everything you would need to survive if you lost your luggage - food, tickets, documents, change of clothes, medications, etc..

Trip Adviser is great for their guidance and reviews.

Travel guides are always a great source and usually provide email addresses and websites. While they all provide detailed information, we have particularly enjoyed the Rick Steves Travel Guides as they have pointed us to some delightful little hotels.

If we are not booking the hotel directly, we generally use Expedia which gives plenty of leads, uses the star rating system and makes it real easy to book and confirm reservations.

Here is another site to explore. Hostelworld offers an amazing choice of small low cost rooms all over the world!

For some astonishing hotels, take a look at Orient Express.

As you plan your trip be sure to inquire as to whether breakfast is included. In Europe, breakfast is usually provided and having a breakfast room is a European tradition. Elsewhere, customs may vary.

How the Star Rating System Works

Generally hotels are rated between 1 star (basic) to 5 star (luxury). These ratings are decided on amenities, not on location, charm or beauty. We often find that a 2 star hotel can be more interesting and better located than a 4 star hotel - and a much better value!

Here is how Expedia's star system works.

• 1 star - basic needs Economy, no-frills accommodations
• 2 stars - Value, clean, basic
• 3 stars - Quality, style, comfort, personalized service
• 4 stars - Superior, upscale, high quality
• 5 stars - Finest hotels, luxury, superlative service, highest comfort standards

Finding a Room When you Arrive

Our experience has been very good when we arrive somewhere without a room reservation- we have never been stuck without a place to sleep. There have been times, however, when we have wasted time trying to find a room.

Our advice? If you are in a major city, pre-book a room. If you know where you want to stay, pre-book the room. If you are going to a resort area at high season, pre-book the room. It is easy to do on the internet.

Otherwise, most places have tourist offices with hotel booking services. Generally these are at or near the train station. They will explain your choices and typically book you a room. It is all part of the adventure!

Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and Breakfasts are often a delightful way to go. You can find and book B&Bs all over the world at BedandBreakfasts.com. B&B hosts typically are great and enthusiastic sources of local information.

Villas and Rental Homes

Whether it has been a villa in Tuscany for a week or an old colonial home in Granada, Nicaragua for a month, there is always something special about renting a house and settling in. Basing yourself in a central location, renting a car, and enjoying the local life often is the perfect cure for any number of ailments.

Consider LuxuryLink They offer a worldwide selection of choices!

Orient Express operates tourist trains and a river cruiser in Europe, Asia and South America, including the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Rail Europe offers train tickets and eurailpasses, country guides and special deals throughout Europe. It's easy to check schedules and fares and to purchase tickets on-line.

While it is pretty easy to buy tickets at the station, for peace of mind, or to schedule a complicated itinerary, buy your tickets in advance!

Driver's Licenses and the International Driving Permit

Many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, but most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). IDP's are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States. The IDP translates a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages. While not a replacement for a valid U.S. state license (always take your license), the IDP is a supplement.

If you plan to rent a car, it is a good idea to obtain an IDP before your trip. While the automobile rental companies seldom ask, if you are stopped by the police while driving, the IDP can save you time and hassle!

IDP's are available through the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Auto Club.

To apply, you must be at least age 18. You will need to present two passport-size photographs and your U.S. license. The cost should be less than $20.

An IDP remains valid for three years from the date of issue, or until the expiration date of your state driver's license, whichever is earlier.

Rental Car Insurance

Car rental companies overseas usually include some auto insurance, but in many countries, the included coverage is minimal and not enough to protect you should there be an accident. Our recommendation - for peace of mind purchase the supplemental insurance offered by the car rental company. In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad (your policy may apply when you drive to Canada and Mexico). Check with your insurer prior to traveling. Yes, it may cost you a bit more, but you don't want to spend your vacation worrying about this issue.

Take a look at the websites for the towns and cities you will be visiting as they typically post local events. Here are some links for Jazz Festivals, Film Festivals and Wine Festivals.

Two additional websites you might want to visit are:

TicketsNow is the world's most favorite and trusted brand for event tickets.

Want to find out which vaccinations you need for your trip? Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and check the country or countries you will be visiting.

If you do need to schedule vaccinations (or are unsure about needed vaccinations), ideally, set up a visit to your doctor or travel medicine provider 4-6 weeks before your trip. Most vaccines take time to become effective in your body and some vaccines must be given in a series over a period of days or sometimes weeks. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. You might still benefit from shots or medications and other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

Be sure to take a copy of your immunization records on your trip (we keep ours in our passport).

Prescription Medications

To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers and bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country before you travel.

Other Medical Information

In addition to vaccinations, all travelers should familiarize themselves with conditions at their destination that could affect their health (high altitude or pollution, types of medical facilities, availability of required pharmaceuticals, etc.). The best place to check is (CDC) Travelers' Health. This website also provides general guidance on health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect-bite protection.

Renew or apply for your passport several months before your planned trip.

Visas

In addition to passports, some countries require visas. Entry requirements are maintained on the website of the country you plan to visit. The U.S. State Department maintains a list of these sites.

If a visa is required, you will need to obtain it from the appropriate foreign consular representative before proceeding abroad. Allow sufficient time for processing your visa application, especially if you are applying by mail. Most foreign consular representatives in the U.S. are located in principal cities, and, in many instances, a traveler may be required to obtain the visa from the consular office in the area of his/her residence. As soon as you receive your visa, check it to make sure no mistakes were made. Processing and visa fees vary, and fees may not be refundable.

Make Two Copies of your Passport and Visas

We recommend making 2 copies of the front sections of your passport and visas. Keep one spare with you when you travel (store separately from the real documents). Leave the second set at home with family or friends.

State Department Country Specific Information is available for every country of the world. They describe entry requirements, currency regulations, unusual health conditions, the crime and security situation, political disturbances, areas of instability, and special information about driving and road conditions. They also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates. While they don't give advice, they do describe conditions so you can make informed decisions about your trip.

Register your Travel

It is a good idea to register your travel with the State Department so that you may be contacted if need be, whether because of a family emergency in the U.S., or because of a crisis in the area in which you are traveling. Travel registration is a free on-line service provided by the State Department.

There are a few issues you may need to address - phone sockets and electrical plugs. We no longer concern ourselves with phone sockets now that wireless internet connections are available most anywhere. And, even if wireless is not available where you are staying, an internet cafe is usually right around the corner.

Electric plugs are a different issue. Depending upon the electronic devices you bring and the country you visit, pay attention to this issue. We have destroyed more than one hairdryer on our trips. And, you may be very frustrated if you are unable to plug in the charger for your camera.

For electronics there are two things to consider:

1. Will you need an adapter to plug the cord into the wall?
2. Will you need a power adapter to step down the voltage?

Fortunately issue #2 usually does not apply to laptop computers, digital camera battery chargers and cell phone chargers. They are just fine - except for issue #1.

The solution is simple and not complicated. Just purchase an international converter adapter kit. Go to BESTBUY.COM and search for international adapters. You can The instructions will tell you which converters to bring for your trip.

Using Skype

For calling back home we are Skype converts! Since we always travel with out netbook computer, we are able to use Skype whenever we have an internet connection. Using Skype we are able to do video calls with our grandchildren (computer to computer calls are free). On our last trip to Spain we purchased (less than $3) a one month unlimited subscription to call any phone number in the U.S. Unbelieveable! We were able to call our home phone and check messages. We were easily able to call booking services to reroute reservations.

With a USB flash memory stick, you can use any PC with an internet connection to make your calls - so you don't even have to bring your laptop. When you're done, unplug the USB device and go. All your Skype contacts, history and other personal settings are stored on the USB flash device.

We recommend that you take a close look at Skype.

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