Don’t feel you have to see everything to get your money’s worth. Choose things you love and do those first. If you have extra time you can always add something else. Check museum and shopping hours. It’s very disappointing to find things closed when you expect them to be open. If you’re planning to attend a special event, call before you go.
Being tolerant is more than good manners – it’s practical. If you don’t learn about the ways of the country you’re visiting, you may end up thwarting your own plans. Remember that many tropical and Latin countries close everything in the middle of the day for a long siesta. And many restaurants in Mediterranean countries are unprepared for diners until late in the evening and so on.
Allow time for the unexpected, as well as for planned exploring.
Go to the library and take out some books on the area you plan to visit. Learn something about its history, culture, government, and people. If possible, learn at least a few common phrases of the language. Most large bookstores also have good selections of travel books for you to purchase.
When photographing religious sites or anyone not in your party, always ask permission first. Many cultures have taboos against taking pictures, or are simply offended by the notion. At the same time, some of your subjects may expect a little reward for their posing particularly in the third world countries. Take along an instant camera if you have one. Snapping a photo and immediately handing the result to your model brings incredible smiles as reward.
Don’t take every camera, lense, tripod, etc. along with you on your trip. You’ll regret being so loaded down and you may lose time going through all of the security and customs checks as a result. Be sure to take extra batteries and film or digital cards. These items are not always readily available overseas and you could lose great pictures if you’re not prepared. It’s also much more cost effective to buy them at home. Be sure to check before letting your film and camera go through the security x-rays. Many are not harmful now, but check to be sure.
Since foreign trade names are different from those used in the US, ask your doctor or pharmacist for the generic name rather than a brand name. Also, carry a prescription for your eyeglasses. In addition, your basic traveling medicine kit should include: aspirin or aspirin substitute, cold tablets, vitamins, antacids, bowel regulators, sunscreen, spray anesthetic, bandage strips, antiseptic spray and wipes, your usual antibiotic, insect repellent, and an elastic bandage.
If you’re on a special diet, notify your tour operator or cruise line in advance. Also, remember to notify the airline of your need for kosher, vegetarian, or low-salt meals.
No one wants to be saddled with a toothache while on vacation – especially in a plane, where cabin pressure can cause severe pain. Have a dental checkup before you leave, and some items that could be helpful to have with you in case of toothaches are oil of cloves, aspirin or aspirin substitute, bicarbonate of soda, Orabase with benzocaine, or other similar products your dentist can recommend.
There’s an information service to help you plan trips in the US and abroad. Contact Travel Information Service, Moss Rehab M.R. at 215-456-9600 or www.manasota.com. Or you can request an information package from the Society for the Advancements of Travel for the Handicapped, 347 5th Avenue, Suite 610, New York, NY 10016.
Take two of everything “medical”, prescription glasses, contact lenses, dentures, and other
health-related items.
At GOMEGA Travel & Tours, we’ll walk you through the entire process of finding and planning your ideal vacation.
