Travel Tips

Posted on 07/20/2015 | About Paris, France

Before You Go!

If you don’t speak the local language, learn a few common phrases such as: please, thank you, excuse me and I’m sorry.

Call your credit card company before you leave and put a travel alert on your card. Remember to write down their international customer service number.

Consider obtaining a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees.Register your trip with the U.S. Embassy. This allows the State Department to better assist you in case of an emergency.  At the very least, you should have their contact info on hand.

Place your passport with your travel documents into your travel bag from the might before.  

Make copies of your passport. Leave a copy at home with your travel professional, family or friends. Keep a copy on your person, a copy in your luggage so it’s the first thing to be seen when opened and email yourself a copy.

Be sure to print out the address of the hotel you will be staying in. Some hotels have business cards with a map on the back. Be sure to grab one. It’s helpful when taking a taxi back to your hotel.

Be sure to have enough storage media for pictures and videos. Download all media at the end of each night, either to an external hard drive, laptop or online storage account.

Don't leave home without some measure of travel protection insurance.  Always purchase travel insurance. It will cover things like trip cancellation, trip interruption and health issues. Most insurance is not accepted internationally.

Contact your wireless provider about an international rate plan. Better yet, purchase an international SIM card to avoid international roaming fees.

Memorize the 3-1-1 rule for acceptable carry-on luggage: 3 oz. bottles or less, in a 1 qt. plastic bag, 1 bag per passenger at the checkpoint. If you have a medical exception to the 3-1-1 rule, declare the item, which will then be inspected and most likely allowed through. 

Visit the TSA website for the most up-to-date information.

Purchase foreign currency from your bank before you leave. Avoid currency exchanges in the airport or from sidewalk vendors.

Leave expensive jewelry, especially large hoop earrings that can be ripped away from you, at home!