Planning Your International Vacation

By Author: Ranko Zunic
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If you have always thought of traveling the world and are now ready to do it, there are a few tips to consider while making your plans.

An around the world journey is an amazing opportunity to learn, change and grow. Anyone can go around the world, from young adults to senior citizens to parents with their children in tow. All it takes is a little bit of planning, an open mind and a passion for travel. So here are a few tips:

1. Pick your route and figure out how you want to get there. Only you can figure out where you want to go. This doesn't mean that you need to create a day-by-day itinerary, but you should have an idea of what airports you want to land in.

2. Gather Information - Read as many articles and gather as much information as possible on your destination. There are numerous travel magazines, blogs and informational brochures available so that you can be as informed as possible before stepping foot on your destination. Research Travel Seasons - While most people from around the world like to take their vacations in the summer, especially if they have children, you may want to travel off-season ...
... when there are less crowds. Find out if there are any major holidays in the country you are exploring. Of course, maybe you want to travel during peak season so that you can be around lots of interesting people and catch many interesting events. If this is so, you still will want to gather this kind of information for yourself. The benefit of traveling during the "high" season is that every museum, hotel and campground is open. This is particularly important to the traveler who wants to visit museums and churches--the summer schedules tend to be longer. The down-side is that additional hours may disappear as you wait in longer lines. Traveling during off-season will surely save money, for most prices are lower during these "shoulder" periods.

3. Travel Activities - For most travelers, there are enough activities scheduled in the small towns and large cities to fill their plate whenever they go. Still, a local festival or world-class competition can be the icing on the cake so organize your schedule to attend some of these events. Other tourists may arrive for specific events--Bastille Day in Paris, the Passion Play in Oberamnegau, or the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Their travel plans are controlled by the calendar. There are other activities that are clearly seasonal (you don't need to be there on a specific day but have to be in the area some time during that period)--strolling the farmers' markets of towns throughout Italy and France which are at their peak after fruits and vegetables start ripening in the fields, photographing wildflowers in the Alps after the spring snows have melted or enjoying Oktoberfest in Munich or Vienna. The tulips and daffodils of the Netherlands are in bloom from late March to late May, making it the best time to see this lowland country. For specific information about seasonal events, go to the country listings.

4. Climate - Knowing how to dress and what to expect can be tied to a country's climate. When you realize Paris is farther north than Quebec and Rome is at almost the same latitude as New York, you'll understand how the European climate differs from the North American weather patterns and the significant affect of the Mediterranean and other bodies of water on the temperatures on the continent. The higher latitudes of Europe would point toward colder weather than found in the U.S. The seas and oceans that surround Europe, however, tend to moderate the climate of Europe, warming any arctic air that might be headed toward the continent. Still, winter snows are common in all of the nations including Greece. The northerly location is more significant as it affects the length of days and nights.

5. Travel Documents - It is important to know that the length of your visit will determine what you need to possess as your travel documents. Generally, you can stay up to 90 days in most European Union countries with a US or Canadian passport. If you are staying longer than that or spending time in Eastern Europe you may need a visa. US travelers can get the details at the US State Department website. Canadian travelers can get details on travel restrictions from the Canadian government's passport website. If you are a Mexican citizen, your passport and visa requirements are explained at the Mexican Consulate's website. With the new rules for travel outside and back into the US, including changes on travel to Canada and Mexico, it is critical that every US citizen have a passport. Similar advice is valid for Canadians or Mexicans who are contemplating any foreign travel, even if it just to a bordering nation.

6. Converting Your Money - One of your biggest worries many travelers have may be how to convert your dollars to Euros and having enough money with you to travel comfortably and safely. If you have carefully used your credit cards in the past and can travel with American Express, VISA or MasterCard debit and credit cards, you will not have many problems spending your money as Euros in most EU nations. Unfortunately, just as the exchange rate has dropped for the dollar, meaning it takes a few more dollars to purchase meals and hotel rooms, credit card companies have added a fee for paying European merchants in the local currency while giving you your bill in US dollars. With all of this in mind, the very best way to pay for your trip is by putting money in your checking account and withdrawing that money through an ATM. The first thing you should do as you budget for your trip is to find out what the dollar is worth in Euros. For security's sake ... carry enough to handle the cash transactions you will make during a day but no more. Pick pocketing is a common crime in some European countries including France, Italy and the Netherlands. Because it is so easy to get money from ATMs you really don't need large amounts of cash.

There are just a few tips but important ones that will help your travels internationally more enjoyable and make you feel more prepared.
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Freighter Cruises has incorporated Freighter Travel Club Int'l and Freighter Specialty Cruises to offer you something unique. From coast to coast enjoy round the world cruises and the wonders of the sea. Visit online at http://www.freightercruises.com/ for more information.