Planning for your trip

Do some research, learn as much as you can about your destination.
Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.
Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.
Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
Check to see what other type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
Find our what type of electrical outlets the country uses, you may need a special converter or adapter to use your electrical appliances.
Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping, many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates and checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.
Do some research with U.S. Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
Build some basic language skills in the local language.
Check the dates of local major holidays, since services may be limited on those dates.
If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.

What services does the U.S. State Department offer to help you to prepare for your trip
http://www.state.gov
The U.S. State Department’s homepage.

What do you need to know if you plan on driving a car in a foreign country
If you plan on driving a car, you’ll need to check out the local driving regulations.
You might need to obtain an international driver’s license or need special insurance.
If you are renting a car, check with the rental company to make sure you’ll meet the local requirements and be able to pick up the car. Some countries’ car rental companies have upper as well as lower age requirements.
You may have to pay a permit fee that allows you to drive on their roads.
Road signage may be in unfamiliar languages and the colors and shapes of those signs may be different than those in the United States.
The direction of the lanes may be opposite of those in the United States.
Gasoline is usually considerably more expensive and is often sold by the liter, 3.78 liters=1 gallon.
Road conditions can be considerably more dangerous than those in the United States.
Some countries with modern highways allow much higher speeds than the law allows in the United States. Therefore, it is especially important to stay out of the fast lane, unless you are passing or willing to travel at these high rates of speed.

How are rentals outside the United States different from those here
Every country has its own rules, but here’s a list of some items you may want to consider.
You may need an international driver’s license or permit, in addition to your U.S. driver’s license.
The rental contract may not be in English. See if they have rental contracts or at least an explanation of contract terms available in English. Also, see if they will have any English speaking counter personnel available to assist you when you arrive.
Your personal insurance or credit card coverage may not be valid or acceptable to the rental company, so you may need to purchase extra coverage.
Most rental car fleets outside the U.S. are made up of much smaller cars.
Many foreign rental fleets have a large percentage of manual transmission automobiles.
Gauges may only read in the metric system, 100 kilometers=60 miles.
Many countries have even higher taxes on rental cars than those in the U.S.
Some countries have both a minimum and a maximum rental age.

How can you get an International Driver’s Permit
www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
The American Automobile Association’s International Driving Permit web page. This site contains information on how to get an International Driving Permit. This permit, used in conjunction with your valid U.S. driver’s license, is valid in 150 countries. Check out the site’s IDP FAQ link for further information.

How do you deal with the language barriers when you travel
Build a vocabulary in the local language. Learning even a few words and phrases of the local language in advance of your trip can greatly increase your enjoyment, safety and comfort during your stay in a foreign country. Here’s a suggestion list of a few words and phrases you might consider researching to build your new vocabulary.
First, the complicated bathroom, this can be a complex issue when you probably don’t have the time to deal with complications. Asking for a "badezimmer", literally a bathroom in German, will get you a room for taking a bath. But, it might be lacking the toilet you were seeking. Find out what they call it and ask for it. It is always best to keep it simple and direct.

How do I get to ….?
How much for……?
How many….?
May I have….?
Where is the…….?
When is the…..?
What time is…..?
I need help.
I don’t understand.
Would you please speak slower.
I don’t speak much …
I would like to speak to someone that speaks English.
Please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me, may I?, hello, goodbye.
Yes, no, accept, decline, agree, disagree.
The names of any foods to which your are sensitive or allergic.
The names of any of your medical conditions or allergies.
Fire exit, emergency exit, help, police, doctor, hospital.
Telephone, taxi, bus and bus terminal, train and train station, airport, rental car office, auto repair.
Toll Road, prohibited, forbidden, exit ramp, entrance ramp, detour, parking, danger, construction, closed.
Post Office, Tourist Office, Customs Office, Bank, Embassy, Consulate
Basic numbers, at least one to ten.
Restaurant, hotel, bar.
Left, right
North, South, East, West.

Choose your travel destination

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming