- Passport,
if you do not have a passport, this is the first item to do when
you decide to
go.
It takes six-weeks or longer, and you can not leave the country without
one.
You can purchase one through the post office.
- Make
copies of your passport, and other papers and keep in a secure place,
in your luggage.
- Start
your trip two or three days before the tour. This will get you body
adjusted to the time zone difference.
- Stay a day or two longer than tour to see a near by city or country.
- Take gallon and quart size ZipLock bags. They can be used to make
sandwichs from the morning meal so you can do more site-seeing. Lunch
usually takes 1 1/2 hours, dinner 3 hours. That could be the total
time you are in one place, so eat or tour, what do you want to do.
Also, the bags helps keeps items separate in backpack.
- Always
wear a money belt, worn inside of your outer clothing, not
on the outside, you do not need to advertise you are a tourist, they
already know.
- Use carry-on luggage, and pack light. If you are not going to wear
an item three or more times, then leave it at home. Yes, you can do
it.
- Have a color theme in selecting items, and use accessories (scarves)
to create a new look.
- Take
a portable clothes line and laundry soap to hand wash items
as you tour. Yes, they have laudries in the places you visit, it
is
expensive and takes too long,
and inconvenient.
- Pack samples of hair care, deordorant and make-up. Make-up go sparse.
Remember you will be carring this suitcase upstairs, most places do
not have valets
or elevators.
- Have
two pairs of good walking shoes, and a pair of slippers (flip-flops)
to wear in the showers.
- Just
remember not to be a rude American. Yes, set back and watch the natives
of the country you are visiting, and see what America has
lost--manners, and
the quietnesss or no cell phones. You will understand
this when you are there.
- For more
tips go to www.ricksteves.com or read his books.
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