Wanderlust II – Prepare to Travel the World

I confess, I am a hodophile who loves to peregrinate! i.e. I love to travel, and journeying from one place to another in a wandering fashion totally appeals to me. I also like my trips to be as stress free as possible, leaving me to focus on and experience the joy of being in new/interesting/wonderful places. When I’ve chosen the places and dates for an international trip and am in the process of making my reservations, I consult my pre take off to-do list.

See Wanderlust I -a post on planning where and when to go on your next trip.  I might have forgotten the “no plan idea” of throwing a dart at a map of the world and a calendar to determine your next adventure. Ha! Maybe I’ll try that some day.

Passport:  No adult should be without a valid passport; you never know when the opportunity to travel internationally will arise. If you don’t have one, start applying now. If you do, make sure it hasn’t expired (originally valid for 10 years), and that it will cover the time period of your next trip or the Six-Month Rule. Over 50 countries require a six-month buffer on your passport’s expiration date. Because of visa time limits, many countries require your passport to be valid for three to six months beyond your departure date. This means if you travel to those countries and your passport expires while you’re there, you may not be able to board a flight. Other countries want your passport to have at least 6 unused pages (room for visa and stamps). Your best bet is to renew your passport at least six months before it expires.

Visas:   According to Passport Index, holders of US Passports can visit 117 countries visa free (VF), 50 countries with visa on arrival (VOA), and 31 with a  visa required before arrival (VR). Check the requirements of each country you plan to  visit.

Save Money, mitigate waits and ensure you receive your visas in time. Don’t wait too long to apply. For some visas, you might need to start the process 3+ months prior to your travel date. Expediting visas can be very expensive ,but turn around is fast.

Some countries provide your visa on arrival in their country (VOA). Be sure you have everything they require, exactly, or you could end up scrambling for it. I’ve never been denied entry but was very concerned a couple of times and very relieved to have the problem solved without taking the next flight out!

Note: Starting in 2021, US passport holders traveling to Europe will need (in addition to their passport), to get ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval, before entering the 26 countries in the Schengen zone. According to the delegation of the European Union to the U.S., the measure will enable them to get more comprehensive information from travelers coming from visa-exempt nations arriving at the Schengen external borders… In fact, this is a multiple country visa!

Vaccines, Medicines & Advice:   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the leading national public health institute of the United States. It is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services.

CDC travel notices are designed to inform travelers about current health issues related to specific international destinations. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters that may affect travelers health. If you see the “Warning Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Traveldesignation, do some additional research. It may be time to start re-planning your itinerary!

Read over the recommendations for every country you’ll be visiting. Then set up a pre-travel consultation with a doctor specializing in international travel medicine or your local Public Health Clinic. Either will make recommendations for you (routine and travel vaccinations), they keep on-hand a supply of fresh vaccines, and can write prescriptions if needed.

Health issues around the world change constantly so you may need a specific shot or a booster for a past inoculation. Remember to have all vaccinations entered in your little yellow book, International Certificate of Vaccination. Many other issues will also be discussed in the consultation including Malaria chemo-prophylaxis, altitude sickness, and  travelers diarrhea (the most common travel- related illness). Be wary of the Llama steaks in Machu Picchu!

How’s the Weather in Namibia?  During the last couple of weeks prior to your trip, it’s a good idea to check what the weather will be while you’re visiting. For country specific information about weather conditions, visit a site such as International Weather.

Four days prior to leaving for a trip to Namibia in the western part of southern Africa bordering the Atlantic Ocean, I received a call saying that due to unseasonably cold weather, sub-zero sleeping bags and warm jackets were required. Without this timely warning, I would have suffered innumerable cold days and freezing nights in the plastic pup tent.  The sight of the Skeleton Coast in Namibia with a breeding colony of hundreds of thousands of Cape Fur Seals enjoying the waters and the beach, despite the cold, was unforgettable.  Before you start packing, check the weather!

The U.S. State Department is your friend abroad:  The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can set up one account, and then add trips later for all your future travel plans. The benefits of enrolling in STEP:

  • You’ll receive the latest safety and security information for your destination country, so you can make informed decisions about your travel;
  • The information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency with urgent news from family or friends;
  • You will receive updates to the country’s Travel Advisory;
  • They will contact you and provide assistance during an emergency overseas.

Often, just asking the people you encounter about a given situation in the country will alert you to potentially dangerous situations developing. In 2017, we were driving around Spain, headed toward Barcelona, when we heard of demonstrations in the Catalan region. Separatist lawmakers had declared Catalonia’s independence from Spain on Oct. 27, prompting the central government of Spain to take administrative control of the region, oust Catalan leaders and schedule elections. The battle for Catalan’s independence  had been declared illegal by the Spanish government and courts.

Due to demonstrations and fighting in the streets, prudence dictated that we postpone our visit to Barcelona, to a more favorable time in the future.

Travel Insurance – a Must:  Acquiring international travel insurance before departing for a foreign country is a wise thing to do. It only takes one medical emergency to run up a bill of tens of thousands of dollars, especially if evacuation is required. Your insurance should cover:

  • Hospitalization due to injury or sickness;
  • Trip cancellation or interruption, illness, unexpected family emergency;
  • Your luggage, computer or camera is lost or stolen;
  • Medical Evacuation.

Educate Yourself:  Knowledge enriches the travel experience immeasurably. In the months preceding your trip, consider the following:

  • Read about the country’s  History, Thinkers, Art, Religion, Current Events, Customs, and anything that interests you in particular;
  • See Movies about or from the country;
  • Learn some basic words and phrases in the new language. Better yet, learn a new language. You won’t be fluent, but you will be able to have a rudimentary conversation, and your effort will be appreciated;
  • Research the foods for which the country is most famous. Jot these down so you can try them out during your travels;
  • Familiarize yourself with the currency, what it looks like, bills vs coins, and value via-à-vis the dollar. Mistakes are easy to make;
  • Find out what they are famous for; their lace, pottery, spices, carvings, rugs, perfumes, et.al. It’s always nice to bring home a memory of the trip for yourself or gifts for others.

Anticipation and realization are both important, enjoy them equally!