Communicating

Languages

Don’t want to be confused with an “ugly America?”  Learn a little of the language of your destination.  You can pick up a Pimsleur Language Series or sign up for Mango Languages at your local library.

Cell Phones

Find out if your cell phone is “unlocked” meaning that it is not locked into one carrier and therefore you are free to insert any sim card.  If this is the case, you can purchase a sim card in your destination country and make calls cheaply. If you don’t have an unlocked phone you can rent one. CellularAbroad.com offers rentals, sales and support if you need a phone, but I recommend you purchase a sim when you get to where you are going.

Also, check with your carrier to see if they offer special rates for the use of your phone outside your plan area.  These may be more costly than purchasing a sim card, but you will be ale to make and receive calls from your number (when you use an unlocked phone and insert a sim, a number is assigned to that particular sim).

When you book a hotel, find out if there is free wifi available in your room.  Hotels are increasingly offering this service, depending on where you are.  If there is not wifi available, you can find cybercafes worldwide by visiting www.cybercafe.com. 

Safety

You’re traveling in a foreign country, you don’t speak the language, you don’t know the customs.  Should you be cautious?  Absolutely.

Theft

Pickpockets are not a myth.  Be aware of distractions, even if they appear harmless. 

I learned, while traveling in Eastern Europe in the early 90s, that my passport was to be guarded at all times.  Passports were akin to gold on the black market, so I never let it out of my reach. So it surprised me to learn that a friend of mine keeps his passport in his unlocked car everywhere he goes.  Now, maybe I’m a little overly cautious about this issue, but I do recommend that you take steps to prevent loss.  Taking steps to recover a lost passport could consume your vacation.

Taxis

Make sure your driver turns on the meter if there is one and watch it.  In some cities, taxis are required to use the meter, in some they are not. 

Know where you are going and the best route.  You can do this by mapping your route on Google Maps.  Knowledge is power.

Ask before you get in how much it will cost to get to your destination, and agree on it before you take off.  This will avoid a surprise, and the opportunity for your driver to charge an unreasonable amount. 

If your driver tells you that your destination hotel is not available, too expensive or rundown, and tells you he or she can take you to a place that is “much better,” so NO. 

Restaurants

Be aware that anything on your tale is subject to a costs unless specifically designated as complimentary.  So don’t open that bottle of  water unless you want to pay for it.

Also be aware of vendors coming in from the street trying to sell you things, typically flowers.  They are not affiliated with the restaurant, and you have no obligation to buy.

Electricity

Don’t assume your phone charger or electric razor will fit into the socket in your destination country. Different regions use different  types of outlets.  Go to electricaloutlet.org to find the type of outlet used in your destination.  You can buy adapters in your local electronic store.

Money

You will need to have foreign currency when you are traveling abroad.  I used to think I had to run to the bank before I left, but the easiest and most economical way to get currency is an ATM.  You can find a list of locations at either the Visa or Mastercard links. 

I do take a little of the local currency with me ($20.00 to $50.00) for initial purposes such as airport transfers and snacks at the airport.  Most places will take US currency but you might not get the best exchange rate.  If you have time, ask your bank weeks ahead of time to order the currency.

Currency Exchange

Check the local currency  exchange rate at XE.com.  Remember when booking or getting price quotes to check which currency you are being quoted.

Tipping

Always find out the local customs for tipping.  You can find that information in guidebooks.  Don’t be afraid to ask a local.