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Planning for International Travel: A Checklist for Your Foreign Trip
By Rachel Carey

Planning ahead for your overseas vacation will allow you to focus on enjoying your trip.

International travel involves more planning than domestic travel.

You need to plan for language and currency differences, electronics compatibility, even disease immunizations. Below is a step-by-step guide to preparing for an overseas trip.

6 to 12 Months before the Trip:

• Find out about recommended immunizations for travel to that country. (The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a good website for this.) If you don't have time to complete a full immunization schedule, you may still get partial protection from starting the process, so talk to your doctor about the best course of action.

• Make hotel and travel reservations if you are traveling during peak season or to a high-demand area.
• Check whether you will need a special visa to enter the country.
• Purchase guidebooks and maps. Pay special attention to researching activities you may need to reserve in advance (like a tour of the Vatican.)
• Begin language lessons, if necessary.

1 to 6 Months before the Trip:

• Make hotel and travel reservations if you are traveling during off-peak season or to a low-demand area.
• Get or renew your passport, if necessary. Some countries now require that your passport does not expire within 6 months of entering their country.
• Get an international driver's license from your local AAA office, and research local driving guidelines.
• Research and reserve activities, tour guides, etc. that may be in high demand....

...2 Weeks to 1 Month before the Trip:

• Check that there are no posted warnings about traveling to your country because of recent events. (Warnings to U.S. Travelers are posted on the State Department website.)
• Purchase plug adapters and voltage converters, if necessary, for converting between 110-120 power (used in the U.S., Japan, Canada) and 220-240 power (used in Europe, South America, Africa, China). You won't need voltage converters for most laptops and music players which are "dual-voltage" and will work anywhere. To find out, check on the back of the item or on the website that produces it.

• Get some foreign currency and travelers checks, and find out if your ATM card will work overseas.
• Register your trip with your own government state department, so they can find you as necessary.
• If you are planning to take your children overseas without your spouse, prepare a signed, notarized letter from your spouse giving permission. (This requirement is for kidnapping prevention.)

• Research local customs. You may need to purchase clothing to meet modesty requirements, and/or gifts for business colleagues, your host family, etc.
• Make sure your credit cards will work overseas. Also, alert your credit card company that you will be traveling, so the credit card company does not put a block on your card because of "suspicious overseas transactions."
• Find out if your cell phone will work overseas. You can rent an overseas cell phone before you go, but it is often cheaper to rent one at the airport or your hotel when you arrive. Alternatively, you can buy a local phone card...

...24 to 48 Hours before the Trip:

• Provide an itinerary and contact information to friends and family.
• Check that there has been no change in your flight status or seat assignment.
• Check that you have all essential items: passports, tickets and reservation confirmations, electronics, voltage converters, plug adapters, some foreign currency, and proper clothing/sun protection.

• Check that you have non-essential items: a camera, gifts for people you may meet, guidebooks, maps, etc.
• Pack appropriately to get through airline check-in and security, following current guidelines about carry-on bags, weight of luggage, etc.

• Arrive at the airport at least 2 to 3 hours early for international flights, following your airline's recommendations.

Good advance planning for differences in currency, customs, and language will help you to focus on the fun and excitement of foreign travel, rather than the hassles.