I am from the United States and will be traveling to England and France this summer. I’ve never traveled overseas before, so I would like some tips on traveling that far away from home. Any kind of tips, whether it be tips about clearing customs, airplane tips, packing tips, etc., are welcome. Thanks!
December 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Other - Destinations
international travel health insurance
Know the laws and make sure you follow thier immigration rules…you dnt wanna get stuck in another country
bring a seat cushion
Make sure you learn etiquette and manners from the back of your head. You don’t want to get the residents mad at you.
Don’t get involved in political discussions with strangers. They may blame you for any or all of the perceived ills caused by US foreign policy.
If you are going to France take the time to learn a little french. It will be appreciated by the locals.
The same applies in England. It’s a taxi…not a cab, a tap…not a faucet, etc….
Have fun. Remember your on holiday…not vacation
My+first+flight+was+about+a+year+ago%2C+from+Toronto+to+Hong+Kong.+%2816+hours%21%29+There+were+a+few+things+I+wish+I%27d+been+told+before+going%2C+and+a+few+things+I+picked+up+along+the+way.%0AAirplanes+are+cold.+If+you+think%2C+it+makes+sense+–+the+temperature+outside+the+plane+is%2C+like%2C+-50C.+Even+if+you%27re+flying+to+and+from+somewhere+reasonably+warm%2C+you%27ll+still+likely+want+a+blanket%2C+jacket%2C+or+sweater+on+the+plane.+And+airplane+blankets+tend+to+be+uber-thin+–+ask+for+an+extra+one+as+soon+as+you+get+on+the+plane%2C+before+everybody+else+gets+cold.%0ABring+everything+you+can+on+your+carry-on%2C+in+case+your+luggage+goes+missing.+%28Obviously%2C+there+are+restrictions+on+liquid+content+and+that+sort+of+thing.%29+Soap%2C+camera%2C+glasses%2C+an+extra+pair+of+socks+and+change+of+clothes+if+you+can+fit+it… +you+want+to+be+inconvenienced+as+little+as+possible.+Put+your+contact+information+on+top+in+your+suitcase%3B+if+it+goes+missing%2C+they+can+open+it+and+easily+figure+out+whose+it+is%2C+helping+it+get+back+to+you+faster.%0ASecurity+and+Customs%3A+possibly+the+two+most+annoying+things+ever.+Supposedly+America%27s+even+worse+–+I%27ve+never+flown+there%2C+but+I+hear+they+make+you+take+off+your+shoes+and+all+sorts+of+stupid+things.+Be+polite+but+brief+when+talking+to+immigration+officers.+Don%27t+volunteer+info+–+they%27ll+ask+you+what+they+need+or+want+to+know.+Make+sure+you%27ve+got+all+your+paperwork+and+information+available+–+most+countries+will+want+to+know+why+you%27re+there%2C+where+you%27re+staying%2C+etc%2C+and+if+you+can+answer+these+questions+without+having+to+dig+through+your+luggage+for+that+hotel%27s+business+card%2C+life+runs+smoother.+Don%27t+be+rude%2C+speak+clearly+%28especially+en+France%2C+parce-que+tout+les+personnes+ne+parlerai+pas+l%27anglais%21%29%2C+and+don%27t+joke+about+being+a+terrorist+or+anything+stupid+like+that.%0ALastly%2C+bring+a+camera+and+take+lots+of+photos.+Make+sure+you%27re+in+a+bunch+of+them%2C+so+you+can+show+people+where+you+went%2C+but+take+a+bunch+of+random+things+like+streets%2C+cafes+and+restaurants%2C+children….+anything+that+gives+a+sense+of+the+atmosphere.+You%27ll+look+back+on+those+photos+time+and+time+again%2C+so+make+sure+you%27re+got+enough+to+bring+back+memories%21+%28Extra+memory+cards+for+digital+cameras+are+cheap+–+carry+an+extra+one+with+you+if+possible%21%29+And+try+to+pick+up+a+bit+of+French+before+going+to+France+–+it%27s+much+easier%2C+and+you%27ll+avoid+some+of+the+stereotypical+French+%27rudeness%27%2C+if+you+can+say+things+like+%22bienvenue%22%2C+%22bonjour%22%2C+%22merci%22%2C+and+%22s%27il+vous+plait%22+%28welcome%2C+hello%2C+thanks%2C+and+please%29+in+the+local+language.%0AHave+fun%21
Best+advice%3F+Don%27t+worry+about+it.+%0AAirports+are+designed+for+travelers+who+don%27t+even+speak+the+language+so+are+easy+to+navigate.+Just+about+every+airport+has+signage+bilingual+in+the+local+language+and+english.+Plus+the+first+people+off+the+plane+will+know+the+way%2C+just+follow+the+herd.+Don%27t+forget+to+reclaim+your+baggage+at+baggage+reclaim+%28but+you+are+directed+there+by+default%29%0A%0ABest+tip%3F+Most+people+are+nice.+So+most+people+will+try+to+help.
If you are tall, try and get a seat in an ‘exit’ row because you can stretch your feet out. Take munchies and reading material and unopened water/drinks. Get up and stretch your feet and walk around several times during flight. When you check-in, always ask if there are any upgrades. Sometimes you can get a much better more comfortable seat for cheap. Go to duty-free; always great buys. Always know where your passport and your tickets and itinerary are for your entire trip. Don’t pack valuables in your checked luggage. Don’t leave valuables in hotel room unless you have in-room safe, then use it. Watch out for London pickpockets. Best to have pouch of some sort around neck or waist inside jacket at the front. Keep your passport and money there. Get everything together on your bed of what you plan to take. Pick out 1/3 of that and pack it. Take lots of money because England is very very expensive, even just a coffee and burger, ouch! Try not to drive as they drive in a totally different way (and I don’t just mean on the wrong side of the road), and driving there can be very scary. Plus gas must be out of this world right now. Get a train pass – cheapest most comfortable and best way to travel Great Britain and Europe. Don’t ever leave your suitcase unattended. Flights into Manchester are much cheaper than into London Heathrow if that works for you. Be sure you are aware of the items you cannot take in your carry-on; these are changing a lot and if you are going through security you may be forced to leave something behind. That happened to us – hubby has an expensive multi-tool that he keeps on his belt, so he totally forgot about it. Security said we had to leave it (was like $200) – I wasn’t about to leave it, so went back into the main airport and mailed it home. It actually arrived a day after we returned, LOL. Go to all the pubs and have lots of chips with malt vinegar, mmm (that’s french fries in US terms). Take a compact fold-up umbrella and rain poncho from home. They take little room and will be much cheaper than buying there when you need it. Take warm jacket or sweater – depending when you go, if it rains, you will feel a chill to your bones. You will have a blast, it is a great trip.
Get+a+passport+way+ahead+of+time.%0ALearn+all+you+can+about+where+you+are+going.%0AIf+you+can+afford+it%2C+hire+a+tour+guide.%0AYou+will+not+enjoy+the+food+there+as+much+as+you+do+at+home.%0AGet+plenty+of+rest+so+you+don%27t+get+sick+while+you+are+gone.
If you are planning on traveling a lot, learn your train/subways routes…you will save time and money. Be open minded, specially in France…many dont really care for Americans, and dont wonder off to areas that are not tourist friendly.
Dont let the other answers scare you off…you will find a lot more freedom there than here. Be respectful and try to learn some basic french, and you will get better treatement just because you are trying.
Also, in France, when you eat out, dont ask for an american type meal. Try something new…avoid Mc Donalds!!!
Last and most important…have fun!!!!