Planning Your Trip or Holiday, Visa, Passport, Weather, Tourist Info Worldwide

MAIN Travel Planning Your Trip

The key to a perfect trip is good planning.

For some travelers, planning centers on what to put in the suitcase... and that's fine. If you find yourself in that group, just try to remember that there are very few places in the world where you can't pick up toothpaste or shampoo if you leave your supply home. Medications are important, but a phone call can usually take care of getting a new prescription even if you do forget to bring yours. If the weather takes an unexpected turn, you can always pick up a few items in a local store that match the climate.

Try to focus more on what the trip will hold in terms of fantastic new experiences. Seasoned travelers often enjoy planning the itinerary as much as the actual trip!

Learning key phrases in a foreign language, figuring out which sights will fill that free afternoon in a city waiting to be explored, making sure that the restaurants you just HAVE to sample will have a table overlooking the scenery waiting for you, deciding which streets to include in your walking tour or which roads to take if you'll drive... all of these are exciting preludes to the real adventure.

Don't forget the paperwork. Find out if you'll need a passport, entry permits or Visas for your destinations. Will you need health or auto insurance for your destinationMake sure to take care of these details with plenty of time to spare in order to keep the fun alive and avoid the stress of last minute problems.

Here's what you should know before you take off. Everything from passports, visas and exchange rates to proper travel etiquette...and jet lag...

Epinions: Travel - A rich source of info from real people who've been there and done that, offering insider reviews on worldwide destinations, hotels, tours, car rentals, cruises and much more.

Travelite FAQ - Expert advice on what to pack from clothes and toiletries to appliances and adapters, plus luggage tips and recommendations, related links and resources.

SeatGuru.com - So...where are you sitting? Really useful interactive diagrams of all the most common airplanes used by American, Delta, Continental and most other major carriers together with advice on where not to sit.

European Driving Regulations - U.K.-focused site and of interest to anyone driving through the continent with driving regulations searchable by country, plus quick and illustrated tutorials on road signs you'll see en route.

HolidaysGo: Weather - Actually this is holiday weather and much more. The links to sites with detailed weather information are good but check the other useful information as well - including a worldwide ATM finder, currency converter, passport and visa info. Distinctly British focus.

Tourist Offices - The best place to find out about the current attractions in any specific town or country in the local office of tourism. Worldwide listings - 1306 at last count - make getting brochures and detailed information easy.

workpermit.com - If you love it so much you want to stay here's extensive info and regulations, applications and guides to obtaining work permits and visas in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and worldwide.

also see feature article -> New Year's Resolution - Take a Vacation!

also see in Business -> Business Travel