As we get ready for our next Around the World Adventure I thought I’d write a little about some of the things we have to plan for and think about when preparing for a trip of this size and scope. Being on the road, away from home for several weeks at a time, is in some ways easier and in others clearly more complex than traveling for one or two weeks.
- Travel Tickets. These must be arranged and purchased as far in advance as possible, several months is not out of the ordinary. Tickets to popular destinations sell out fast and the longer you wait the fewer options you’ll have available. As far as air travel goes, we are members of Star Alliance and frequently travel on their Around the World Ticket. Being a member of this alliance allows us to earn bonus miles to use for future travel as well as number of quality of life benefits like airport lounges. If you love to travel, becoming a member of an airline alliance is a must. Get the companion credit card to earn additional miles. I love trains, they are a fun and stress free way to travel overland. As far as train travel is concerned, early is better here as well. Every country has a different level of rail development and infrastructure. We have found the best rail system to be in Japan. Nothing beats the Japanese bullet train known as the Shinkansen. It is fabulous! However there are different types of Shinkansen trains, with some being faster than others. Not all types of Shinkansen trains will be covered by the Japanese equivalent of a Eurail pass, the JR Pass. Do some homework so you will be informed before you buy and travel. When buying a Eurail pass, know in advance which trains are included and which are not. Local trains and subways are often not included in passes. The earlier you make your reservations, the easier it is to find a great deal.
- Hotel Reservations. Earlier is better. Make your reservations as soon as you can. Many guest houses, pensioni, ryokans and hotels have refundable and nonrefundable rooms. In our experience it is better to reserve a refundable room as early as possible. They may cost a little more but things change with extended trips and it’s better to have the flexibility to cancel and make new arrangements than to pay a little less up front and lose the entire amount. Be careful when making reservation through a third party web service as oftentimes you will be required to cancel through them instead of directly through the hotel and this can create a major hassle on the road. Again, the earlier you make your reservations, the easier it is to find a great deal.
- Travel Documents. You must have these in hand before setting off on any overseas travel or trip to a foreign country. Make sure you have a valid passport. If you don’t have one, apply immediately. Check on the Visa policy for each country to be visited. Some countries require your passport, application and additional passport photographs to be sent to their embassy in advance during the Visa application process. This is very important to do correctly and as early as possible. One incorrect letter or number on the application or Visa and you will be denied entry at your destination.
- Country Information and Health Advisories. The U.S. State Department maintains an excellent site with a wealth of travel and country information and advisories. While you’re at it, be sure to visit the Center for Disease Control for additional information regarding health issues in the part of the world you are traveling to. Many diseases such as Hepatitis and Meningitis are preventable with a simple vaccine but it has to be given long enough in advance of departure for your body to make effective use of it.
- Education. There are a lot of great travel books at the local bookstore and online. I like to sit down with a cup of coffee or green tea and a selection of books on the destinations we will be traveling to. No single book has all the best information, they all have a piece of the puzzle and target a slightly different type of traveler. The more popular books such as Insight Guides have great photographs and illustrations, Lonely Planet is packed full of little details and Fodor’s has a great balance of both. Michelin Guides are fantastic, especially for European travel and foodies. I buy and have shelves full of books by all these companies. Read a whole bunch and zero in on the one or two that speak to you.
- As a photographer, the small details I look for when researching a destination are things like tripod policies, sunrise and sunset times, what direction the sun is facing, and the timing of the new and full moon. I also want to know if the location is hilly or flat, if I’ll be walking through narrow or dark and dusty streets and the general receptivity of the local population to people with cameras.
- Packing Strategy. Pack lite and streamline. Make sure all clothing mixes and matches. Bring layers and one good pair of walking shoes. All prescription medications need to be clearly labeled with your name, this is important as some countries will look very closely at them. Bring enough essentials like toothpaste, floss and deodorant to last the duration of your trip as you may not be able to buy what you need abroad. Bring hand sanitizer and enough wet wipes to last the duration of the trip, you’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget anti diarrhea medication and over the counter pain killers, topical antibiotic cream and bandages. Pack camp soap to wash yourself and your things while on the road when laundry isn’t available. Pack a cotton scarf, hat and sunglasses. Bring gloves and warm socks if it’s cold, sandals if it’s warm. I bring a cotton bandana for all kinds of utilitarian purposes. Bring a sewing kit and pack a small tool like a Leatherman Micra in your checked luggage. A small pair of binoculars are fantastic for wildlife and wilderness travel.
I do all these things when planning a trip as part of my pre-travel check list. We all know people who have gone to the airport without their passport or thought they could wing it when it came to reservations only to find out all the hotels are sold out at their destination. It happens. I also know people who have contracted meningitis or malaria because they failed to read the travel advisories. Take the time to educate yourself, make a checklist and be sure to follow it.
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