TRAVEL TIPS

Preparation:

· Get your shots.
· Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa.
· Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
· Check your overseas medical insurance coverage if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
· Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws.
· Bring your two or three different credit cards, a debit card, and some cash for an emergency.
· Bring your passport, airline ticket, rail-pass or car-rental voucher, driver's license and student ID.
· Photocopies and a couple of passport-type photos can help you get replacements more quickly if the originals are lost or stolen. Carry photocopies separately in your luggage and keep the originals in your money belt.
· Also pack record of hotel reservations, tour information along with a trip calendar page in your luggage.

Packing:

· Limit yourself to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) in a 9" x 22" x 14" carry-on–size suitcase that fits under most airplane seats and therefore will bring you mobility and comfort. A carry-on–size "roll-aboard" suitcase would be ideal. Be aware that many airlines have additional restrictions on the number, size, and weight of carry-on bags.
· If you check your luggage, mark it inside and out with your name, address, and emergency phone number. If you have a lock on your bag, consider a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) -approved lock as you may be asked to remove it or it may be cut off so the bag can be inspected.
· Use packing cubes or mesh bags (one each for toiletries; underwear and socks; and miscellaneous stuff such as a first-aid kit, earplugs, clothesline, sewing kit, and gadgets). Roll clothes and store them in packing cubes to keep them compact and less wrinkled.
· Pack your bag only two-thirds full to leave room for souvenirs.
· For winter travel, wear warmer, waterproof shoes. Add a warm coat, scarf, gloves, hat, and an extra pair of socks. Pack with the help of a climate chart. Layer your clothing for warmth, and assume that you will be outside in the cold for hours at a time.
· If you are planning to attend cultural events or concerts, keep in mind that these events require formal attire.
· Europe's electrical system is different from the United States’ with the voltage of the current, and the shape of the plug.