I have been fortunate to travel to many places in the US and some other countries too. The best advice as something that someone said "be open to the ways of other people". My advice for travel first is to back snacks. We can't carry that much on a plane anymore but I like to throw in Peanut Butter Crackers, nuts, nutrition bars, etc. You never know when you will need a snack and sometimes that can be difficult. Not to mention your destination may not have your favorites. I use the space in my bag on the retur...

I have been fortunate to travel to many places in the US and some other countries too. The best advice as something that someone said "be open to the ways of other people". My advice for travel first is to back snacks. We can't carry that much on a plane anymore but I like to throw in Peanut Butter Crackers, nuts, nutrition bars, etc. You never know when you will need a snack and sometimes that can be difficult. Not to mention your destination may not have your favorites. I use the space in my bag on the return to bring back souvenirs that I purchase along the way in my travels. Another tip is to back some wet wipes. These are handy for clean up [in bathrooms or otherwise]

Most importantly... make a copy of your driver's license and passport. Leave one with a friend or family member at home and leave one in your bag that stays in your hotel room. This way, if anything happens you will have a copy of your information. Last year I was in Costa Rica and they allowed you to travel with a copy of your passport instead of the original. We left our original documents locked up in our condo and only carried color copies with us. I have heard that getting a copy of your passport can cost THOUSANDS of dollars and ruin YOUR DAY.

Another good tip is to take medicine with you for stomach problems. [Immodium for example] A change in foods can mess up your system. Nobody wants to spend vacation in the bathroom! And typically... be careful drinking the water.... can sometimes mess up your stomach [depending on where you are]

And Last but not least. We usually pack a cooler. I will use the cooler like a suitcase packing clothes shoes, etc. Then when you get to your destination you have something available for drinks/food for those road trips or beach trips. When you get ready to come home... you will love having a hard sided cooler for packing those fragile souvenirs that you purchased! The airlines will ask if you have ice, liquids etc... so make sure that you do not.

Happy Trails!

I have been in every state in North America, but a few months ago I made my first trip to Europe. Primarily to Italy, I studied Italian for two months before. Comprehension got to be about 50%. It came in handy. I wanted to actually visit the places of ancient Roman culture. It increased my understanding of history dramatically. Stood in line for every museum. Most of the people in line weren't tourists, They were locals. And most did not speak English. In Florence we waited 2 1/2 hours. I have never seen a line in any ...

I have been in every state in North America, but a few months ago I made my first trip to Europe. Primarily to Italy, I studied Italian for two months before. Comprehension got to be about 50%. It came in handy. I wanted to actually visit the places of ancient Roman culture. It increased my understanding of history dramatically. Stood in line for every museum. Most of the people in line weren't tourists, They were locals. And most did not speak English. In Florence we waited 2 1/2 hours. I have never seen a line in any museum in America.
Culture shock-- No toilet stool seats. Mot a problem for me, but for the women? Basil on the pizza. Ugh. And at least double the price if you sit down to eat or drink. Different business attitude. In America this would be regarded as an attraction for business. In Europe it is regarded as an expense that must be recouped.
Visited Amsterdam also. Saw the Red light district, the drug district. and oh, yes the Van Gogh Museum. The sacrifices I make for education. I sure felt sorry for the ladies in the windows. Pitiful life it must be. Not sexy.The drugies were not causing any problem. Learned that.. Had German in college. Didn't help.
Tip. Guess at Euros you need and change before you go at local bank.
Wore passports around neck and a money belt. Over the shoulder purses. Good ideas. We had a small electrical converter in a single unit. Worked great.
Next trip will be to take wife to Paris. Isn't that one of the rules you have to do? Will brush up French. The Italians appreciated my efforts. Understand the French don't. Want to find out for myself.

it depends on where you want to travel to... i grew up in Israel, now live in the us, have been to egypt, Greece, India, thailand and turkey. in India and thailand i had a lonely planet guide - that's always nice to look into, and had a little dictionary for the basic and important stuff like numbers (for money), food, sleep etc. but also found my self in small villages in a tribe with their own language, and always managed. i learned most of the English i know during the last 6 years of my life - since I've been in the...

it depends on where you want to travel to... i grew up in Israel, now live in the us, have been to egypt, Greece, India, thailand and turkey. in India and thailand i had a lonely planet guide - that's always nice to look into, and had a little dictionary for the basic and important stuff like numbers (for money), food, sleep etc. but also found my self in small villages in a tribe with their own language, and always managed. i learned most of the English i know during the last 6 years of my life - since I've been in the us most of these years. i speak Hebrew as my native language, English, some Arabic - a must where i grew up, i used to have pretty good knowledge of Thai and some Hindi. i know a little bit of spanish from different jobs i had. when you add them all together you can always ubderstand some words here and there....as to other things you might need - if you are planning on visiting in any 3rd world countries you might want to carry a water purifier with you. some counties you might want to carry malaria treating pills and get some vaccines. the rest really depend on what kind of travelling you are planning, back packing, or hotels...?i love exploring and will be traveling for the rest of my life - it's a part of my spiritual growth. another tip - money should be carried in a money belt that can't be seen, travelers checks will might be a good idea too. pack light it is always nice to have room to bring some memories back...

Richard is right. I travelled Europe with my sister many years ago but for me, never again. I didn't speak the language and trying to find something to eat was a nightmare.We visited the museum in Florence and couldn't understand a word about any of the beautiful artifacts that were on display, so learned nothing. Trying to find a public toilet is almost impossible ,and when you do find one it costs to go in. The price depends on weather you want a number 1 or 2 because they give you a little bit of toilet paper before ...

Richard is right. I travelled Europe with my sister many years ago but for me, never again. I didn't speak the language and trying to find something to eat was a nightmare.We visited the museum in Florence and couldn't understand a word about any of the beautiful artifacts that were on display, so learned nothing. Trying to find a public toilet is almost impossible ,and when you do find one it costs to go in. The price depends on weather you want a number 1 or 2 because they give you a little bit of toilet paper before you walk in.Where ever we stayed we had to pre-pay and book in a time for a shower if there was a time available, and sometimes it was just cold water.It really is a different world and if you can learn some of the lingo before hand it will help you heaps.

I have been to Europe--Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Spain. I've been to Morrocco and Guatemala, Canada and Mexico. I have found every single place very beautiful in itself, but you have to be open to new experiences. You have to remember that everyone does things differently, and be open to the experiences of everywhere.

Sit across from Trevi Fountain in Rome and eat gelato. Watch people.
...

I have been to Europe--Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Spain. I've been to Morrocco and Guatemala, Canada and Mexico. I have found every single place very beautiful in itself, but you have to be open to new experiences. You have to remember that everyone does things differently, and be open to the experiences of everywhere.

Sit across from Trevi Fountain in Rome and eat gelato. Watch people.
Go to San Marco Square in Venice at night and watch all the multicolored lanterns shine at night.
Stand at the Acropolis and look at Athens
Drink ouzo
See the Paris Opera House
Buy crepes from a street vendor
See Innsbruck, Austria in a nightime storm.
Shop in Antigua.

Those are just a few highlights. You'll find your own.

Growing up as an American Diplomat in Saudi Arabia most certainly had its challenges, but from what I understand, the challenges were mostly felt by my mother. An attractive mother with that American girl-next-door good looks and a family consisting of three blond haired children, two of which were twins, caught the attention of people wherever we traveled. And we were in a country where having attention drawn to you was not necessarily a good thing, or a safe thing.
...

Growing up as an American Diplomat in Saudi Arabia most certainly had its challenges, but from what I understand, the challenges were mostly felt by my mother. An attractive mother with that American girl-next-door good looks and a family consisting of three blond haired children, two of which were twins, caught the attention of people wherever we traveled. And we were in a country where having attention drawn to you was not necessarily a good thing, or a safe thing.

My father had been brought in by the State Department to assist with the census in Saudi Arabia, as a statistician, and as bureaucrat wanting to get out of the red tape city of Washington, DC, it was a platinum opportunity. It was the early eighties, Saudi was a foreign land, but the perceived threat of danger was not as high, and my father signed on to spend three years with his family in a secure American compound in Riyadh.

After touring some European cities, we landed in Riyadh International. A dry, hazy heat laid over the desert. The temperature was 114 degrees Fahrenheit, and I burned my hand as I reached form my seatbelt in our white Suburban.

I remember looking out the window as we traveled in a secure transport to our compound, and marveling at the activity on the streets as we passed. We were never told of the danger, nor do I think it was necessary to have been. Us children, my twin brother and my older sister, were only told we were going to go on a great adventure, and that it was very important that we always listen to mom and dad. We stuck together, and we obeyed.

Upon arriving to our home within the 12 foot concrete walls of our guarded compound, we were overjoyed to see a pool. There were 5 houses in the compound, all American diplomats with families. We would end up spending many a night grilling, swimming and playing with these families -- we maintained a very American lifestyle within the compound. For many days it was only during dawn and dusk, when the prayer calls rang through the city, that we were reminded that we were indeed, in a foreign land.