5 Things To Consider Before Going Abroad On A Vacation

[Kathy Wheat]

Who doesn’t like a good vacation? The thrill of visiting a new place, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people is enough to make your jump in excitement. Believe us, the temptation is quite real. So, you have now booked the tickets, planned your stay and checked out the places to visit during your stay but what about the other variables. Well, the last thing you would want is to leave for your vacation in a haphazard manner without any preparations. Given below is a comprehensive list of 5 things that you need to consider before heading out on a vacation abroad.

1. Get your passport and visa in order

This may seem silly to many but many travelers in the heat of excitement forget to check this very basic thing. If you are one of those people who is applying for a passport for the first time then make sure to apply four to six weeks before your vacation. The last thing you want is a ticket to a foreign destination and no passport. If you already have a passport then check its expiration date. Why? Because many countries in Europe and Asia have a rule that your passport remains valid for six additional months during the time of your visit. So before planning your vacation, better check up on the information of the country you are visiting along with the passport and visa requirements.

2. Get a Health & Travel Insurance

Another prerequisite to considering before heading on your vacation is getting a travel insurance. Nowadays, procuring a travel insurance is as easy as getting groceries from your local store. Consider getting a medical evacuation and emergency medical insurance whilst going for a travel insurance. If you are looking to save some cash and get some instant discounts tips on travel insurance then head over to OnlineSavingsHack. The site has the best tips and techniques that you can use to save up cash.

3. Get an International Driving Permit

Going solo and discovering new places on your own is a thrill in itself but yes, you can’t drive cars in foreign countries without a valid driver’s permit. There are still many countries that don’t recognize your US driver’s licenses so you need to get an international driving permit that you can get either from the AAA or the National Auto Club. Also, familiarize yourself with the driving laws of the place where you plan to drive. You can contact state department and foreign embassies and familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations.

4. Get your vaccinations and prescriptions beforehand

Travelling to a foreign land comes with its set of health warnings. With the recent Ebola and swine flu scare that gripped half the world, the last thing you need is getting a deadly disease or infection while on your trip. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has its own website which gives you a comprehensive list of all the red flags and vaccination requirements of the country you are traveling. All you need to do is give it a little time to go to the website. The CDC site is a good source for getting information on different kinds of health risks that range from local water and food consumption risk, non-prescription items that you can carry along with you and valuable health tips.

It is advisable to take your flu shots 4-6 weeks in advance of your travel. If you are on prescription drugs, make sure to refill them in advance, you never know if you would get your prescription drugs in the new place in case of an emergency. Also, don’t forget to carry your prescription with photocopies of the same and Make sure you keep all these items in a different carry bag that you keep within your reach always.

5. Stock up your wallet

No, we aren’t suggesting you carry a waddle of cash along with you on your trip. Before traveling overseas, make sure that you call up your bank and credit card providers to let them know of your travel plans beforehand. You don’t want your cards not working while on a trip just because your credit card company suspects a fraudulent transaction. Traveler's check is of the past now and not many countries accept them anymore if you are really planning on using one. Instead, you can use your bank or debit card to make transactions here. In European countries, cards come embedded with chips rather than the magnetic ones that we follow in the states. These cards can be used with the help of pin to make purchases and pay bills. This development is still not widespread in the country with limited companies offering this facility. You can inquire about this with your local credit company and get one chip and pin card for yourself.

So there you have a comprehensive list of 5 things that you should consider before going on an international trip. It’s always a healthy practice to stay prepared.