Travel Tidbits

Important Travel Details

Passport: When traveling outside the U.S., your passport must be valid for six months after your return date.

Did you know you can fly non-stop from Denver to the following destinations:

*Asia: Tokyo, Japan

*Canada: Calgary | Edmonton | Montreal | Toronto | Vancouver

*Caribbean Islands: Nassau, Bahamas | Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | Montego Bay, Jamaica

*Central America: Belize City, Belize | Liberia, Costa Rica | Panama City, Panama | Roatán, Honduras | San Jose, Costa Rica

*Europe: Dublin, Ireland | London-Heathrow, United Kingdom | Frankfurt, Germany | Munich, Germany | Paris, France |Reykjavik, Iceland |Zurich, Switzerland

*Mexico: Cancun | Cozumel | Chihuahua | Guadalajara | Mexico City | Puerto Vallarta | San Jose del Cabo

Email and make photocopies of important documents: keep a copy of your passport in a separate bag from your actual passport, health insurance cards, and license. Don't solely rely on your phone which may be stolen, damaged or lost.

Credit card: determine if your bank/credit card charges a fee for international transactions. Typically, Visa and MasterCard are accepted the world over.

Fire Safety: Always count the doors to the exit in hotels. If there’s a fire, you may need to feel your way to the exit/stairs.

Travel Protection Insurance: Strongly suggested. There are a variety of options and price points to choose from. Paying for healthcare and repatriation (bringing someone back to one's own country), is quite costly.

Items that should be in your carry-on: toothbrush, medications, swimsuit (if beach vacation), and an extra pair of undies.

Airline App: Be sure to download the app or apps for the airline(s) you’ll be traveling on. This will provide the most accurate information in a timely manner.

Pre-book activities and tours: Some popular tours are sold out weeks or months in advance. I can set up your preferred excursions, and once you arrive and solidify your schedule, click on the link I provided to purchase them. For example, purchasing tickets for hot spots like the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, or the Statue of Liberty in New York require booking at least a few weeks in advance.

Renting a car outside the U.S.: An international driving permit (IDP) is highly suggested, and mandatory in some countries such as France. It’s a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo, and driver information, and it translates your identification information into 10 languages. AAA is one of only two private entities in the U.S. authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue an IDP.

Adapter: When traveling internationally, always have a universal adapter.

Miscellaneous
Send yourself a postcard: Unique stamps when traveling outside the U.S--nice remembrance.
$2 bills: Unique, and nice for tipping.
Camera: Invest in a reasonably priced camera or upgrade your cell phone.
Ear plugs + ear buds: Both will serve a purpose during travel.
Compression socks: Wear them for long flights to prevent blood clots.
Learn common phrases of the local language: Please, thank you, and where is the bathroom, is essential to be able to convey.
Pre-plan your outfits: All grey or black may be easy to match but may not be the photo results you've intended.