What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you decide to travel abroad – to plan your trip. Right? Well! Being prepared for your journey to the faraway lands is the key to a happy and safe vacation. You are probably on Cloud No. 9 and are super excited about your upcoming overseas trip. However, to make sure that you have a great time, you may need to invest some time and effort to plan your vacation.
Here we have designed a checklist to ensure that you have a fantastic trip with everything – finances to clothing, accessories to medications, in place.
- An updated passport can save your day.
Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6-months after you get back from your trip. According to the State Department, all travelers need to renew their passport within 9-months before expiration. So, without further delay, take a look at your passport’s date of expiry. And, if needed, renew it. If your tour itinerary involves driving, do remember to check if you need an international driver’s license or your domestic license will do the job. Make sure to carry a soft copy of your passport and visa and keep them handy.
- Vaccinations and prescriptions are crucial.
The impact of COVID-19 is still evolving, with a new variant showing up every other day. And, needless to mention, its trail is spread all over the world. So, before you jet off for your upcoming holiday, make sure to go leaf through the website of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for the latest travel advisories and information related to vaccinations and COVID-19 testing pertaining to international travel. When it comes to immunizing, vaccination against the coronavirus is not the only requirement. You may need to administer vaccines for other conditions, including yellow fever, cholera, and Zika virus. So, before you fly, check with the CDC for the appropriate and latest information. To ensure the best possible protection, make sure to get the relevant shot before six weeks of departure. Always carry medications more than enough to cover your entire trip.
- Getting your trip registered is a good idea.
Are you traveling to a remote location? If so, make it a point to register for a trip with the U.S. Department of State. Also, make sure to inform them about your entire travel plan. Unfortunately, if you are stuck in an emergency, the U.S. The Department of State will know about your whereabouts so that they can contact you.
- Pack your bags carefully.
Try not to carry valuables with you. Expensive items, such as jewelry, electronics, gadgets, etc., can attract miscreants. However, if you do have to carry expensive things, make sure to bring them in your handbag (cabin handbag). If you cannot bring them everywhere you go, do keep them secured in your hotel safe. Do you wear prescription glasses? If so, do pack some extra pairs. The cost of glasses and frames could be expensive in an overseas country. Always keep all your bags properly locked. It would be great if you purchase locks approved by the Transportation Security Administration.
- Do your homework about the destination country.
As far as preparing for a holiday is concerned, doing homework about the destination is the best thing to do beforehand. The more ideas you will have about the country, the easier you can gel up once you reach there. Some tips to help you:
- If you are visiting a country where the crowd could be possibly conservative, avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, and other similar outfits.
- Pack your outfits appropriately according to the climatic conditions of the country you are visiting. Otherwise, you might have to shell out to buy them. It may affect your finances in a foreign land. Plus, you might feel uncomfortable due to different weather altogether.
- It would be good for you if you learn to speak some colloquial phrases, such as good morning, good evening, thank you, etc.
- If your trip takes you to a location where you are likely to open your shoes pretty frequently, pack some slip-on.
- Do you want to carry your pet on your international trip?
If you have a pet (who would love to travel with you), make sure to get in touch with the embassy of your destination country to confirm – if or not you can take your pet to their country. Many countries are likely to have restrictions regarding carrying pets to their countries. Moreover, what if you are in an emergency and need to be evacuated? Most countries do not allow pets unless they are service dogs. Therefore, you need to bear this in mind when planning to carry your pet. Also, the countries that do allow pets need the latter to be properly vaccinated with all pet identification tags in place.
- Buy a travel medical insurance plan.
Before you take off to a foreign destination, ask yourself the following questions –
- What if I contract an infectious disease abroad?
- What if I become severely ill, requiring hospitalization?
- What if I slip and fall, breaking my leg?
- What if I need to be evacuated to a safe place due to an emergency?
- How will I manage the payment?
- What if I lose my baggage?
- Will I have to break my bank?
Dear reader, the answer to all these questions is – Travel Medical Insurance or Visitors Insurance. This one policy will protect you against all covered medical scenarios that you may come across on your international trip.
Finding a good travel medical insurance coverage made easy
If you have been looking for a reliable travel health insurance provider but are confused because of a world of insurance products to choose from – visit a user-friendly insurance broking portal like Visitors Guru. Using this interactive platform, you can compare various insurance plans and get free price quotes. It will make your search easy and you can find a suitable visitors insurance plan to meet your needs in an international destination.
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