International travel can be a wonderful way to see the world, learn about new cultures, or simply relax in a different environment than your own. Before you decide to travel the world, there are a few things you should know. Even if you want your journeys to be filled with the spirit of adventure, you don’t want to find out unpleasant things that you should have known that will ruin your trip.
If you’re going on an international trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking care of your health. Find out if the countries you’ll be visiting require any vaccinations or if there are any disease risks. If your international travel will primarily take you to third-world countries, for example, you will need not only additional immunizations, but you will also want to follow precautions to avoid parasitic infections. Knowing things like whether you should only drink bottled water in another country can be crucial.
It’s also a good idea to learn about the currencies used in the countries you’ll be visiting. Researching currency exchange rates and determining where and how to exchange currency may be beneficial. Because prices vary so much around the world, it’s important to figure out how much money you’ll need for each day’s spending and whether you’ll have access to credit cards or ATM machines.
Traveling internationally can teach you that basic rules and laws differ from country to country. Don’t put off learning this lesson until you’re on the road. If you intend to drive on vacations, learn about the different driving rules that may apply. Research the countries you’ll be visiting to see if they have any peculiar rules or laws that you might unintentionally break. Keep an eye out for things like quarantine laws, which may make it illegal to transport certain foods from one country to another.
From one country to the next, cultural differences abound. Knowing how residents of a country view people from your home country can be useful. You should also be aware of any habits you have that could be perceived as rude or insulting in a foreign setting. When planning international travel, it’s also a good idea to pay attention to things like basic words and phrases in other languages. Bring a good portable dictionary with you if you can’t remember them so you can ask people simple questions.
Any type of international travel should almost certainly include some planning as to where to go and what to avoid. Many countries have high-crime zones or areas that you should avoid visiting after dark. Investigate the level of crime in the countries you visit, as well as whether your travel style (for example, a female traveling alone) puts you at risk for certain crimes.
There are a few other things to consider when traveling internationally, such as whether you require travel or health insurance. Make sure you know where to go for assistance (policy, embassy, etc.) and what kinds of documents you’ll need when traveling. It can also help you learn about the typical weather patterns of different countries so you know what to bring. You may also want to know if you need to bring special adapters for electrical plugs and what kind of charges you can expect to pay on international cellphone calls.