Banglaimge Travel

• Do some research, learn as much as you can about your destination.
• Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
• Check to see what type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
• Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you'll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
• Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you'll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
• If you plan on driving, get your car ready and investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
• Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget.  Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping.  Many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.

Check the dates of local major holidays or festivals, since services may be limited on those dates.

What credit cards do I need to take with me?

• Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master Card and American Express.
• Make sure they are really credit cards and not just debit cards with a credit card company's logo on them. Many locations require a credit card and will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited use on your travel.

Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure location at home; there will be no need to carry them with you.

They will be able to explain many of the services that they can provide while you are on your trip.

• You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.
• They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.
• They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.
• They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.
• They'll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank's system.
• They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.
• They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you'll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions.
• They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations.

You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases.

Should I use my credit card when I travel?

• Yes, using your credit card can be more valuable than using cash, so use it when you can.
• You'll probably be able to get a better exchange rate than changing money to spend yourself.
• You'll be in a stronger position; the credit card company can often charge back disputed charges.
• Many times your credit card will offer an extra guarantee or warranty when you purchase items with your card, but you'll want to read the fine print for exceptions.
• You won't have to risk your safety by carrying and displaying large amounts of cash.

If you lose your card, most credit cards have a low maximum liability limit if you quickly report the card as lost.

Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

• Yes, with the ability to draw out small amounts of cash as needed, you can avoid the risk of traveling with large amounts of cash.  Using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.
• The ATM will issue money in local currency.
• You should exchange at the bank's wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges.

Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

• Call your bank to make sure your PIN number will work in foreign countries.
• Find out your daily limits and plan ahead. You may need to take out money little by little or ask to have your daily limit increased.
• Use your ATM card before you go, to make sure it is still good.
• If you go through many airport security checks, remember that the security scans can demagnetize your cards. You might want to ask for a visual inspection.

Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

• If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you'll be visiting. This way you'll be better equipped to stay on the look out for them.
• Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you'll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
• Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you'll need to take before, during and even after your trip. Get you vaccinations done early in case you have a reaction and need some recovery time.
• You should consider a dental appointment if you haven't had a check up in a while.
• Be careful what you eat and drink.
• Carry complete health information with you on your trip.

• Complete and take with you a personal medical history. Your doctor should be able to help you complete the history. It should include:
• Your Insurance Company's name and address.
• Trip Insurance contact information.
• Contact person in case of emergency.
• Your blood type.
• A copy of your eyeglass prescription.
• A list of current medications with their generic names, brand names can vary in foreign countries.
• A list of allergies, including any known food or drug allergies.
• A list of immunizations with their dates.

A basic description of your past and present medical condition, including past hospitalizations and any current problems.

• Check with your insurance agent to see if your current medical coverage will cover you outside the country.
• Even if you are covered, you may still be expected to pay the bill in cash and be reimbursed from your insurance. Make sure you receive a completely itemized bill, in English, if possible.
• Medicare and Medicaid do not provide payments for medical care given outside the United States.

If you don't have any coverage that will apply, you should strongly consider travel insurance that will cover you outside the country.

• Be sure to read the trip insurance policy carefully, noting any deductibles, exceptions or exemptions for pre-existing conditions, activities, diseases or areas of the world.
• You also want to see if the policy covers any medical evacuation costs, especially if you plan on traveling to an area of the world that may not be able to provide you the type of medical care you will need.
• You may be making your travel plans months in advance. Many things can happen in that time that would cause you to have to cancel your trip and possibly lose your deposits.
• You are susceptible to travel delays, often ones beyond your control, which can cause you to miss all or part of your trip.

Check the policy to make sure you are covered for expenses caused by travel delays, as well as, cancellation coverage.

How can I protect my safety while traveling?

• Do the research so you'll know the particular risks you face.
• Know the local laws and abide by them.
• Dress conservatively and try to blend in.
• Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.
• If you haven't left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel's safe.
• Don't draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don't display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel's safe.
• Avoid traveling alone.
• Be careful about sharing your travel plans with strangers.
• Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.
• Always be aware of what is going on around you.
• Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs.
• Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.
• Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.

Take precautions to protect your money and avoid pickpockets.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?

• Don't travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
• When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
• Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
• Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
• Carry your purse under your arm.
• Carry your money under your clothes.

Know some of the pickpocket's tricks.

• There are lots of situations that pickpockets use to create opportunities to relieve you of all that heavy cash. Be especially aware of your money when you find yourself in the following situations.
• Getting bumped by someone else.
• Having something spilled on you or someone pointing out a spot on your clothing.
• Someone approaching you and asking for help or directions.
• Someone causing a disturbance that draws everyone's attention.

Being surrounded by a crowd, especially if you are surrounded by groups of children.

• If you're looking to buy new luggage, you should consider luggage with these features:
• Retractable rollers, rollers will make it easier to make it through the airport. You'll also want retractable rollers, so the rollers won't be pulled off.
• Removable straps. Straps make luggage easier to carry, but they can get caught on conveyor belts and either break or damage your luggage.
• A lock, preferably one that doesn't dangle off the luggage too much.

• A passport, for all travel outside the U.S. and identification purposes.
• Wallet
• Driver's License and/or other proper photo identification required for domestic travel.
• Insurance cards for both your medical and automobile insurance
• Credit cards
• Travelers checks
• Coupons
• Airline, Cruise or Train tickets
• Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of where you'll be staying
• Travel brochures and maps
• Lots of crisp one-dollar bills for all those tipping opportunities

• Carry them in your carry-on since it will be less likely to be lost than your checked luggage. Your carry-on will also do less harm to temperature-sensitive medication.
• Carry your medication in their original bottles to help avoid security questions.
• Bring along the generic names of your medications since brand names can vary.
• If you have any questionable drugs or particularly large supplies, you might want to bring a letter from your doctor stating you have a legal right to use these drugs.

• High-speed film is the most susceptible to damage, but all your film is at risk.
• Carrying your film in your checked bags used to be a safer bet, but with stronger bomb detection devices, your film is now more likely to get fried.
• Buy special carrying cases designed for protecting film.
• You can ask for a manual inspection in the United States and some foreign airports to avoid the x-rays if you place your film in your carry-on bag.
• The walkthrough and hand wand security devices shouldn't effect your film.

• Leave them at home in a safe place if you can.
• If your luggage has locks, you should use them.
• Shrink wrapping your luggage will not only protect the outside of your bags, but also the contents inside.
• Do not carry valuables in your checked luggage, they will be safer in your carry-on bags.

• Pack your liquid items in less than full plastic bottles, they might freeze and expand if you're traveling by plane or putting them in a trunk and traveling through cold weather. Place the bottles in freezer bags with a seal to further protect your items.
• Bring along a plastic trash bag to keep your dirty items separate from your other clothes.
• Pack your shoes in shoe bags or old socks to keep their dirty soles from touching your clean clothes.

• Don't over pack your bags.
• Travel with clothing that is less likely to wrinkle.
• Roll up T-shirts or underwear and wrap your items around them at a fold line. This will help keep a crease from forming.
• Take the proper size luggage for your trip. Too big a bag will allow your items to move around and make damage and wrinkles more likely.
• Button the buttons on shirts so items will hang properly.
• Use plastic dry cleaner bags between items. Make sure the dry cleaner bags do not have any advertising printed on them. The ink can rub off and end up on your clothes.
• Unpack as soon as possible.

• Don't pack valuable, perishable, and fragile or items sensitive to the heat and cold in your checked baggage. Try to avoid these items altogether, but if you must take them, they will be safer in your carry-on bag.
• Never leave your luggage unattended or take your eyes off your bags.
• Learn your destination's airport code and make sure the correct one gets put on your bag.
• Avoid taking luggage with flashy brand names, as it will make them more attractive to thieves.
• Avoid carrying your laptop in a bag that lets everyone know you are carrying expensive electronics.
• Use the locks on your luggage.
• Clearly label your luggage on both the inside and outside of your bags.
• Remove any items that are hanging off your luggage and could get caught on conveyor belts.
• Place a trip itinerary in your luggage so your bags can easily be returned to you.
• Place a unique bright marking on your luggage so you can easily identify it. This way others will recognize that their similar looking bag did not have the markings and leave yours alone.
• Switch some of your items with those of a traveling companion. That way if your bags go missing, you'll still have some items with you.
• Cover your hands when you are entering ATM or phone card numbers so others can't copy them down and use them.
• If an airline loses your items make a claim before you leave the airport; some Airlines will not honor claims made after you have left the airport.
• Carry a list of all your items in your carry-on and leave one at home, to help you make a complete claim form if your items go missing. Carry a copy of the final list in your carry-on bags, you'll be able to use it to fill out claim forms with the airline if they lose your luggage.

• The more you travel, the more you know that traveling with the smallest possible amount of luggage is the best way to go. But, how can you cut down on your luggage burden?
• Call ahead to the hotel to see if they offer any laundry services. See if they include items in your room such as, robes and toiletries that will reduce your packing needs.
• Coordinate your outfits around a central color so you'll be able to mix and match.
• Check the weather, so you can bring the most appropriate items. Remember to account for seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations and also keep in mind that increases in altitude will decrease temperature.
• Plan your outfits so you can layer instead of bringing lots of coats.
• Take a solid color sweater that will match any outfit to use to keep you warm
• List all the items you are taking and check to see if you really need each item, in other words, is there something else you could take to kill two birds with one stone.
• Take small sample sizes of toiletries that will last just long enough instead of huge bottles.
• Don't waste an inch of your luggage space, pack underwear and socks inside your shoes. This will also help your shoes keep their shape. Pack your belts around the edge of the luggage.

• A passport, for all travel outside the U.S. and identification purposes
• Wallet
• Driver's License
• Insurance cards for both your medical and automobile insurance
• Credit cards
• Travelers checks
• Coupons
• Airline, Cruise or Train tickets
• Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of where you'll be staying
• Travel brochures and maps
• Lots of crisp one-dollar bills for all those tipping opportunities

• Ask around and consider their customer service record. What ratings have they received from independent rating organizations?
• Evaluate their franchise for consistency. Many Hotel's are franchised so you'll want to see how the particular location fits into the Hotel's chain. Find out how the chain rates this particular property within their organization.
• Consider their Hotel policies, are they favorable to you or do they penalize you in some way.
• Find out what partnerships they have that could save you money in other areas. Many Hotels have agreements with airlines, rental car or credit card companies.
• See if they credit your frequent flyer or frequent guest programs with points.
• Check the Hotel Chain's locations. Does their Hotel chain have locations where you travel? Do they have international locations?
• Check the individual hotel's location.  Is their airport hotel really close to the airport?
• Evaluate their facility. When were the rooms last remodeled? Does it have the types of features you need? How well does it suit your need for the quick overnight stay or the weeklong resort vacation? Do they have business suites or meeting rooms available if you need them? Does the particular Hotel you want to stay in located in a safe part of town? Is any major construction going on in the area around your Hotel's location? Will there be any large groups staying at the Hotel that could negatively impact your stay?
• Do they offer the types of extra services you need? Do they have a concierge, shuttle or laundry service?
• Can they honor your special requests?
• See if they offer a Premium or Loyalty Club that feature the services you need.
• Check to see if you belong to any groups that entitle you to a special deal with a particular Hotel.

Consider their rates and the availability of any coupons or discounts. See who offers the best overall deal for your budget.

Before you go (Health Check up)

• Plan ahead. See your doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don't reach the highest protection until about 6 weeks after you get the shots.
• Have medical and dental check-ups before your trip, to be aware of problems and to find out about medicines you might want to take along.
• Be prepared. Find out what your health insurance will pay for if you see a doctor while you're in another country. Carry enough of your regular medicines in their original containers, along with extra prescriptions for them. Also bring your eyewear prescriptions. Wear a medical information bracelet if needed. Take along a first-aid kit (see suggestions below).

Vaccines you might get

Your doctor will review the plans for your trip and decide if you need any vaccines. The vaccines you got when you were a child also may need to be updated if you are not fully protected. Vaccines that may be needed to protect you include the following:

• Hepatitis A or hepatitis A immune globulin
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (the flu)
• Japanese encephalitis
• Measles-mumps-rubella
• Meningococcal meningitis
• Pneumococcal
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
• Typhoid fever
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Yellow fever

While you're traveling

• Eat carefully if you're going to a country with an increased risk of traveler's diarrhea. Steaming-hot, well-cooked food is usually safest. Avoid eating foods from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy products, and raw or uncooked seafood. Peel fruits yourself. Drink water from commercially sealed bottles or drink carbonated beverages. Avoid ice. Use bottled water when you brush your teeth.
• If you're going to a country with a risk of malaria, take preventive medicine for malaria as prescribed by your doctor. Remember to start taking your malaria medicine before you leave on your trip, take it during your travels and keep taking it for 4 weeks after you get home.
• Avoid swimming and other water activities in freshwater lakes and streams. Schistosomiasis (also called bilharziasis) is a disease you might be exposed to in some African streams and lakes.
• If you're going to a country with an increased risk of mosquito-borne disease, protect yourself against insects. Insect repellents that contain DEET work the best. Wear permethrin-coated clothing and use bed nets while you sleep.
• Try to avoid taking overcrowded transportation. Try not to ride in vehicles without safety belts. Wear a helmet if you'll be riding a motorcycle. Try to avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas without local help and directions.

Things to include in a first-aid kit for traveling

• Your prescription medicines, in their original containers.
• Medicine for diarrhea and upset stomach. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for an antibiotic you can take in case you get traveler's diarrhea. Pack bismuth subsalicylate (brand name: Pepto Bismol), loperamide (brand name: Imodium) and antacids.
• Cough and cold medicines.
• Pain medicines, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin) or ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis KT).
• Decongestants and antihistamines for allergies. The kinds that don't cause sleepiness are better when you're traveling.
• Antibiotic ointment, adhesive bandages, hydrocortisone cream, moleskin for blisters, sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and lip balm.
• Medicine for motion sickness, such as dimenhydrinate (one brand name: Dramamine), and an antinausea drug like promethazine (brand name: Phenergan). Acetazolamide (brand name: Diamox) may help prevent altitude sickness.
• Scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, pocket knife, thermometer and mirror.

Absolutely

Here are things that it is difficult to imagine not packing:

Toiletries

Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Contact lens equipment and spare glasses

You might also wish to consider disposable contact lenses, especially if you are going to be going somewhere with poor water supplies (e.g. camping).

Makeup (for business trips)
Razor
Hair care equipment (brushes, comb, blow dryer)

You might wish to consider growing a beard, letting your leg hair grow out, and/or getting a crewcut (yes, women too!) if you are going on a long, low-budget trip.

Condoms

These might be unavailable or difficult to obtain where you are going, especially in Catholic countries.

Business/calling cards

If you are traveling on business, the utility of business cards should be obvious. Small cards with your name and address can be very handy for tourists as well, to give to the people you make friends with along the way.

If you are doing a low-budget trip, you should also bring cleansing products:

Soap (in a plastic bag)
Shampoo (or shave your head and use bar soap)
Towel

If you will be looking at ceilings (like on a castle or church crawl), bring a small mirror so that you won't strain your neck.

Clothes

My rule of thumb is to take enough underwear for one week, or for the length of the trip plus two days, whichever is shorter.

If you are traveling on business, you can probably take two suits and rotate between them. Try to take different colors of shirts/blouses; mixing and matching might fool people into thinking you brought more clothes than you did.

If you are going on an extended trip, pick one color and stick with it. If you are part of Generation X, rejoice, as black travels very well. You can get horse slobber all over your black jeans, and as long as nobody stands too close, you'll look fine.

Plan on inclement weather. It will happen, and everybody there will say, "Oh, it almost never rains/snows/hails/blows/floods like this! This is very unusual weather." In particular, be prepared for it being colder than you expect. A polypropelene shirt is a wonderful thing to take traveling with you: it is light, very warm (even when wet), and dries quickly. Packing a Gore-Tex shell is another good way to save a vacation; Gore-Tex rain pants wouldn't hurt.

(Californians and other desert denizens, take note: what will dry out overnight in California might take two days to dry out in wetter climes!)

I also recommend bringing a pair of flip-flops (also called thongs or shower slippers). Not only can they come between you and the strange things that are growing in the bathroom of the scummy dive you ended up in, but if your shoes get wet, this gives you something that you can wear while they dry.

Miscellaneous

Day pack

If you are doing any sort of sight-seeing, take some sort of small backpack or fanny pack. You will want to carry maps and perhaps phrase books, guidebooks, water bottles, sunglasses, and so on.

Neck wallet or money belt

This is especially important on the hostel/train circuit. Keep most of your money hidden away underneath your clothes. If you are as paranoid as I am, you might even want to go to a two- or three-level system: keep passport, airline tickets, and the bulk of your money in a money belt, about US$50-100 in a neck wallet, and about US$5-10 in your jeans pockets.

Tiny flashlight

This is optional, but you can get really tiny flashlights, and they can come in very handy.

Tape and magic marker

This is very useful if you are shipping a bicycle or anything else in a box.

Earplugs, waterbottle (with water!), chewing gum, food

These can make your plane trip much more enjoyable. Aside from being noisy and prone to pressure changes, airplane cabins are very dry, and you will tend to dehydrate if left in one long enough. The gum helps with depressurization, and airline food is, well, about as good as airline food.

Phone Numbers

Imagine that you got rerouted to Omaha, Nebraska because of the weather, and then got all the runways were iced over. You really want to have the number of Aunt Martha, who lives in Omaha. You won't care that you haven't seen Aunt Martha for seventeen years - anyplace with a bed is better than the airport floor.

Passport

Even if you are inside the country, it is a good idea to take your passport with you. It is light and you never know when your company is going to want to send you to China, the Feds (or Mafia) are going to catch up with you, you're going to fall in love with a sexy Italian, or your rich great-uncle in Ghana is going to die. At a trade show in Dallas, I bumped into some former colleagues who asked if I'd like a quick contract that would involve leaving for Paris the next day. Had I had my passport with me, I would have gone.

Passports can also act as identification if your wallet gets lost or stolen.

Watch with alarm

A cheap digital watch with an alarm is small, light, and very useful.

Outside Your Country

Phone beeper

If you have an answering machine or voicemail to check while abroad, you will probably need a small electrical device to generate the appropriate phone tones for your country. (In the US, you can get these devices cheaply at Radio Shack.)

Electrical transformers/plug adaptors

Most places in the world have different plugs and different power supplies. If you want to use your computer/modem/electric razor/alarm clock abroad, you will need to get equipment to translate from "your power" to "their power".