Preparing For International Travel? Here Are 5 Essential To-Dos:

Whether you’re vacationing abroad for the first time or haven’t in a while, preparing for international travel can be extremely overwhelming. It’s time to get out the packing list and start thinking of to-dos to make getting around easier. Here are some of SellMyTimeshareNow.com’s top international travel tips:

1. Make copies of your passport

Stolen or lost passports are more common when traveling than you would imagine, which means having copies will help you prove your citizenship and return to your home country at the end of your vacation. Bring a copy of your passport with you and leave a copy of your passport at home or with someone you trust. For an extra precaution, you can also register with your embassy before traveling to help make it easier for government to contact you if necessary.

2. Research monetary conversions

Knowing not only what kind of currency is available to you in different countries, but also the conversion rate will make paying for things significantly easier and help avoid unnecessary fees. Though using ATMs in other countries can come with a fee, it’s still often cheaper than converting your money at an airport kiosk. Take out only as much money as you’re comfortable with, but remember that the fewer times you have to visit an ATM, the less you will have to pay in fees. If you happen to take out a large sum of cash, be sure not to keep all of it on you so in the event your money is lost or stolen, it’s not all lost or stolen at once.

3. Call your bank

There’s nothing worse than having your card denied and flagged in a foreign country. Call your bank to inform them of where you’re traveling to and any layover destinations you might have. While chatting with them, also find out their international contact information in the event your cards are lost or stolen while abroad. Additionally, if you happen to have a non-chip debit or credit card, consider having it replaced, as many countries will not accept magnetic-strip cards.

4. Pack an extra set of clothes in your carry-on

When traveling far from home with layovers and other potential problems, it can be helpful to have a simple pair of versatile clothes in your carry-on bag in the event your bags are lost. This way, you can arrive to your destination and have at least one other option for clothing while you wait to find out where your bag is. Be sure to decide this outfit based on the climate you’ll be staying in to ensure your comfortability.

5. Utilize the concierge desk and local recommendations

If you have never visited this specific country before, there’s so much to see and do! The concierge desk at your resort has great resources for local activities other vacationers are known for loving, but the advice doesn’t have to stop there. Asking locals for their opinions on restaurants, bars, parks, museums, and other attractions is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the regional culture. You’d be surprised just how well you can get to know a city or country just by asking the right people what their favorite activities are!

Find More Foreign Travel Tips on SellMyTimeshareNow.com

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