Know before you Go 

Travel Tips/Tricks to Know Before you Go

• Check with the U.S. State Department for any travel warnings prior to booking your vacation. Travel warnings are issued by the U.S. State Department (U.S. Travel Advisory).  After reviewing the information, you can make an informed decision as to if it’s safe for your individual travel.
• Determine Passport/Visa requirements.  Does your intended itinerary require a valid U.S. Passport and Visa or just a passport.  If your travels are outside the U.S. and involve a plane, the answer is – YES, you will need a valid passport.  Air travel in/out of the U.S. requires a passport.  If you are on a cruise and do not intend to leave the ship you may, and I say may, be able to go without a passport; however, keep in mind, if there is a medical emergency, or other emergency on the ship and you will return to the U.S. via plane, the only way you can get on the plane is if you have a valid Passport.  Therefore, it is highly recommended that you obtain a passport prior to all vacations outside the U.S.  Most travel in/out of Europe does not require a visa for U.S. Passport holders; however, many countries do require U.S. Passport holders to obtain a Visa prior to travel.   You should contact the local Embassy for the country(s) you are travelling to and through prior to booking any travel.  You may also check out the U.S. State Department’s link here (Visa Requirements)
• Vaccination Requirements.  Travel to some countries requires proof of vaccination prior to allowing entry.  And for some, it is recommended that you start a protocol, malaria for example, prior to arriving at your destination.  For these requirements/suggestions, it is best to check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.  Here is a link (CDC Requirements).  Bringing home an unwanted guest is not a good thing.
• Forget the umbrella, pack a poncho – You can pack 2-3 ponchos in less space/weight than an umbrella and after it is used, you can simply throw it away.  You can get cheap one use ponchos at most discount stores.
• Get a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees– This could save you significant fees. Using credit cards can be a great way to travel. First, you don’t have to worry about the pesky foreign currency. You will however be charged in the local currency then your bank will of course charge you in USD. There is a conversion fee but it’s the best rate you can get. But some cards charge foreign transaction fees, either a flat transaction amount or a percentage of the purchase. Citibank and Chase bank both have credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees.
• Buy some local currency prior to departure. Don’t be afraid to buy currency before you go. Your bank will purchase the paper bills back once you return, but don’t be afraid that you’ll run out of money and take your entire savings with you.
• Take your ATM card. For the most part, your American ATM will work in most ATMs across the world (just look for the little stickers). Just be forewarned, do not use an ATM that is not at a bank and do not use it after banking housings. If the ATM eats your card, you want to be able to get it back. I learned this the hard way, but was lucky that the next day was a working day and I was able to get my card even though it took about 45 minutes as they didn’t want to speak English and I had to describe my card. I guess they had a lot of strange cards in the ATM and it was hard to determine which one was mine (it had my name on it of course).
• Put your smartphone on airplane mode and consider disabling your voice mail. This is very important if you don’t want to be stuck with international roaming. Whether your on a cruise ship or actually traveling throughout Europe turning off data is important. With that being said be cognizant that if someone state side is trying to get a hold of you, you will not be available to take the call. Rather accept/sent text messages, internationally they are cheaper than the phone call but international rates apply. Or even better if you have iPhone you can send iMessages or you can even use Wi-Fi based calling via FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, Viber just to name a few. Of course you can also set check in times to send/receive emails.
• Take a reusable water bottle. Not only is it better for the environment but also easier on the wallet!  In fact, most European countries have higher drinking water standards than the USA. And if you’re in countries that get their water supply from the mountains, the water is very crisp and cold. I experienced some of the best water in Austria and Switzerland.   But be cautious if you’re traveling outside the Western European countries as many do not have safe tap water. Countries in South America, Africa and Asia have water that is not safe for most of us to drink.  Keep in mind, if you’re traveling through a country that is know for water issues, you may have to limit your flesh food intake as well; the water would be used to clean those fruits and veggies.
• Register for TSA Pre-Check.  Saves you time standing in line at the security checkpoint.  You will no longer be required to remove shoes, belts, and light jackets.
• Allow plenty of time to get through immigration of completed before your flight as is the case when flying from Canada to the US for example. 
• Stop pick pocketing by using a safety pin to pin your front pocket closed. Works well is you carry your wallet in your front pocket.