Passports
Money Abroad
Safety
Packing
Electricity Abroad
Medicines
Film and Cameras
Communicating with home
Importing Goods
Other

• Passports
This is the most important item you can have abroad.  It proves you are a U.S. citizen, and allows you back into the country.  Keep it with you at all times and safe from falling out of pockets or worse being lifted out of pockets or purses. 

If you don't have a passport, figure on 6-12 weeks to obtain it allowing for delays, so order well before your departure.  Otherwise you will find yourself physically traveling to a key passport office in a major city.  There are a couple online sites offering expedited passports, but all you need to know is at the U.S. State Department site http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

If you have a passport, make sure the expiration date is at least 3 months AFTER your return date (in case in the unlikely event you get stuck abroad).  If not, renew it as above with plenty of time.

• Money Abroad
Remember, some dinners and lunches are on your own, but we'll have options usually (another nice thing about a small group). You'll also be tempted by LOTS of books and garden supplies, seeds and such so be prepared!  Depending on your style and budget you could figure $25 to $250 a day!  An average  figure might be about $50 a day.  Also think ahead-- tours are a great time and place to start Holiday and Birthday shopping.

Many stores take credit cards, but often only Visa. Banks are pretty much hooked into the world networks with ATM's, so if your credit cards (any) or debit cards are in Cirrus or Plus systems you should be able to get additional cash there. Just make sure with your card issuer, prior to leaving, that it is activated for transactions abroad.  And it helps to have your bank or card issuer's main telephone number, in case the card doesn't work abroad or you lose it.  Many now restrict such, unless cleared prior to leaving, as a security feature.

The ATM's of course have a small service fee for such card withdrawals, as do those here, but often they give the best conversion rates. You will need some cash though most times, as in cafes and small shops or for small purchases (like snacks); they may not take credit cards or even travelers checks.  Many guests now find traveler's checks more a bother than use.  You can get travelers checks in many  banks, AAA and even online at some sites.

The Euro As of early 2002, most European countries will be converting to the Euro (which often exchanges at a rate similar to the US dollar which makes converting in your head pretty simple).  England and UK countries still use pounds sterling.  Depending on country when you travel, old currencies of each country may no longer be acceptable (but may be exchanged at some larger banks for euros).

Larger banks in the U.S. should have some currency or euros on hand, or can obtain some with a few days notice.  Online sites such as Chase Bank http://www.currency-to-go.com or Thomas Cook http://www.us.thomascook.com also sell various currencies. Larger amounts may be quite expensive to obtain, so best to wait until abroad.  Perhaps all you need to get started is $20-$50US worth, as a bank stop is usually one of the first the tours make!  Again, even at airports, ATM's will give a better rate usually than the currency booths you may see first and may be tempted to use!

Many websites of media, such as major newspapers, and of airlines, have currency converters.  Perhaps the most dedicated site to such is: http://www.oanda.com/ You may want to print out an exchange rate table to bring along.  You may also find pocket currency converters in specialty stores, or online, or on palm pilots and such.

• Safety and Insurance
While tours offered by Jeff Sainsbury Tours Ltd are generally to relatively safe countries and areas, in these uncertain times being abreast of latest developments is a good idea.  The U.S. State Department www.travel.state.gov has advisories on over 200 countries along with other helpful information on each country.  Perhaps more inclusive and frequently updated is the British Foreign Commonwealth Office http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp

To insure against some possible loses and emergencies abroad, it is high recommended to investigate and secure travel insurance, such as from CSA http://www.csatravelprotection.com/insure/default.ssc

• Packing
Anything new, try it out, break it in, before you go.  Especially new clothes, break them in too. Nothing worse than breaking in new shoes, with blisters, during your tour! Speaking of which, a good pair of sneakers or walking shoes, also a spare or mud boots or rubber covers for shoes for wet days, and of course nicer ones that you can pack easily if you want better evening wear.

Travel light, pack light. Although in most cases we can help with bags, sometimes you may have to handle them yourselves.  And folks abroad tend to be smaller than Americans, and with less "stuff", so the vehicles tend to be smaller!  And of course you'll likely be buying stuff!

Luggage and carry bags: I usually bring a backpack or shoulder bag to take every day with film, snacks (like cheese or peanut butter crackers), water bottle (you might pack one you can refill), camera, (some bring the new small lightweight binoculars), brochures, garden maps, notepad for note taking, etc.  If you bring one of the smaller waist packs like many wear now, just think about all the above and will it all fit. A small folding umbrella that fits into a back pack or similar is strongly suggested too.

Probably best is to limit yourself to one suitcase, one carry on.  A nice collapsible bag such as tote or duffle bag can be packed in your suitcase, then removed and filled through the trip with purchases. Or you can bring a large carry-on with shoulder bag/back-pack inside. Make sure you visit the airline website and check on the luggage requirements to weight and size, as they have gotten stricter on these. 

For your luggage you check, it helps to have it lockable so people can't add or subtract items easily, marked well with your name and address, and some like to put something distinguishing on it to spot easily-- a letter in tape, a pompom, a ribbon, etc.

What to pack?  Also important recently is changes in security, with many carry on items, especially those sharp ones, now prohibited from carry on luggage.  This even includes small one-inch pocket knives, nail clippers and disposable razors!  You can bring these, just pack them in your checked luggage.

Most dress will be comfortable and casual. Think layers too if a cool climate or time of year. I usually bring short sleeves, with sweater/sweat top to put over, then some sort of fairly water resistant jacket or such to either wear over the others or by itself. Check out one of the big news websites for international weather there, like CNN, Weather.com or USA Today.

Ziploc bags are really useful toiletries in your luggage (in case they leak), and plastic bags for those smelly dirty clothes!  Pack small units of toiletries such as the samplers you find in bins in drug stores--it's amazing how larger sizes can add up in weight! In a small plastic bottle maybe bring some clothes detergent or Woolite for stains and spot spills, even to do some socks or underwear.  A small tube of stain remover is also useful.

Start a few days out, pull out all you'll think you'll need, assess the space you actually have, and weed out until you have what you really will need. Also this way you have a couple days before you leave to think of what you forgot to pack!

A few other useful things you might pack:

• Electricity Abroad
Some like to bring electric razors, hair dryers and such.  Just remember each adds bulk and weight, so only bring what you really need.  Also keep in mind current in the U.S. is 120 volts, that in Europe usually 220 volts.  So appliances will burn up  quickly if not adapted properly.  Electronics especially are sensitive to current changes and inconsistencies, so it's probably best not to plan on recharging cameras and batteries and such.

So you will need adaptors, often found at WalMart, Radio Shack and similar outlets.  These do two things--they change the current, and they adapt your plug to the various outlet configurations you find abroad.

• Medicines
Colds are often common on group tours, as they can spread quickly in the closed spaces and confines.  So bring your usual cold remedies and medicines.  If you have allergies, bring such medications too.  Medicines abroad are often quite different from those in the U.S., and take time away from valuable tour time to visit a drug store.  Don't forget anything else you might need and use at home including such as eye drops, aspirin, sting/cut ointment, a couple band aids and similar. It helps to keep the more crucial, a few aspirin or pain reliever, and prescription drugs in your carry on luggage and daily bag.

• Film and Cameras
Try it out, as with anything new as mentioned above under packing. There is always someone using a new camera for the first time-- often with problems. Even if you have a camera, check the batteries, especially with the new all automatic ones-- nothing worse than getting to a garden with dead batteries--maybe even bring a spare set for that flash, or for the battery hog digital and camcorder models.  Rechargeable ones may not function well or at all if recharged with unusual currents and adapters.

Also bring sufficient film-- if you like to take pictures, figure what you think you'll need, then bring 50% more. You can buy film there, perhaps not the type you like, and usually it comes with processing--which is a pain to try and redeem back here. APS film especially is harder to come by.

Some bring film in lead lined bags to help preserve them through xrays and airport security.  These are not needed in some airports, but especially in recent times with increased security, film may be at risk.  Generally at most risk are speeds over 400, and unexposed film.  Best is to have your film canisters in a plastic see through bag, and hand check if allowed through security.  Some checkpoints will tell you if the machines are safe or not for film.

• Communicating with home
Telephone calls from abroad to home can be quite expensive, especially if dialed direct from your hotel room. Cheapest is to arrange prior to have folks call you from here.  Check with your tour host for these if not provided.  The only problem with this might be timing,  but nights and early mornings should work. ATT has a dial anywhere in world rate that’s pretty good. Some carriers like ATT also have a toll free number you can dial abroad, puts you through to an operator in US, then all is same just as if calling here (more than here obviously, but much less than direct dial).  So check with your long distance phone carrier.

Generally it is not advisable to bring a laptop computer due to current, possible theft, weight and such.  Many hotels have email or FAX facilities, or they can be found in larger cities at cyber cafes.  If you wish to use these, make sure you can access your email system from abroad prior to leaving, and how.  Some providers (hotmail.com being popular) can be accessed worldwide.

• Importing Goods
You may bring back quite a bit, with receipts needed for larger purchases.  It's a good idea to keep all receipts as you travel, perhaps in an envelope, in case you need them at the end and to prove you bought what you did.  You are allowed $400 per person, duty-free, with possible duty for more and depending on items purchased.  Books are considered education material and do not count towards this limit.  Liquor and other spirits are often taxed separately, and vary with each state, so check with your state authorities. 

Tax (VAT) is charged on many items abroad, and can be substantial (10-20%), but can be refunded  in some cases such as from Britain by filling out forms you obtain at merchants.  Present these, and goods purchased, upon departure. 

Many always ask about plants and seeds.  As long as seeds are in commercial packages, they are okay.  You may bring back up to 12 plants, as long as ALL soil is removed.  This can be quite difficult, time consuming on your last day abroad, and many plants don't survive this treatment.  If you wish to bring back more, you must have an import permit which you can find out more about and the procedures at the USDA-APHIS site http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/

• Other
References: Visit your local bookstore or shop online for some of the many travel books related to your tour.  This will help you plan ahead for your visits and limited free time in the bigger cities.  Many also tell about culture, currency, and other tips to help you fit in and have the most comfortable trip possible.

Learn a language: There are some websites such as Travlang http://www.travlang.com/ , audio courses both on tape and CD rom you can find in bookstores or online.  There are even books on learning languages, such as in the Dummies series.

Flight info: A good U.S. government site to check on delays http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyFAA/index.html , as well as checking with your own airline.  Check on your flight in particular, and you can also find out about meals, movies and such.

(Above tips courtesy of Dr. Leonard Perry, University of Vermont)

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