Informing You About Traveling Abroad This Holiday Season
Travel abroad during the holiday season may be crowded and seem a bit overwhelming if you have not done it before. For many the list of things you need to thing about when preparing to leave in addition to the added pressure of longer lines and thousands of other frustrated travelers can leave them wondering why they chose to leave home at all. If you are one of the millions who are braving the crowds to head out on your holiday vacation this week or next, here are a few tips to help you feel more prepared.
STEP – Smart Traveler Enrollment Program – This is one way that you can feel more secure when traveling abroad. By registering your trip, you can feel confident knowing that in case of an emergency, you have the added security of assistance from the U.S. government.
Passport – Hopefully, you applied early for your passport as wait times can be from four to six weeks when applying. You are required to have a passport or passport card when traveling outside of the United States.
- Make sure your passport is signed and that the emergency information is filled out.
- Make a copy of your passport and put it in a safe place. In fact, make two copies and leave one with someone you trust and carry the other so you can put your real passport in a safe place like your hotel safe to avoid it getting stolen or lost.
Make An Itinerary – Leave a copy including contact information with your family back home to make sure that in case of emergency, someone has information on where you may be and how to contact you.
Research – Make sure you know a bit about your destination including laws and conditions before you go. Being an informed traveler can help ensure that you leave little up to chance.
Other Things You Should Know Before You Go
From the location and contact information of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to looking less like a tourist and more like an educated and informed traveler, there are many ways that you can control your situation when traveling abroad. Though you may not be able to control all aspects of your vacation such as the weather and who sits next to you on the plane, take advantage of the knowledge you have and become a more informed traveler to ensure you have a smooth holiday vacation.
Tradewinds Travel Club Wishes You A Happy Holiday Season
Know more about travel and become a more informed traveler with tips and advice from Tradewinds Travel Club. If you enjoy travel or would like to travel more, find out how Tradewinds Travel Club can help. Most of all, travel safe and enjoy your holiday season!
