Be sure to check the Transportation Security Administration website too; things could change abruptly, depending on the situation in Iraq.
From Marilyn -
Carry-on Bag
Here’s where you pack everything that has great personal meaning to you: all your important documents, jewelry, medications, laptop, camera, cell phone, adapters, etc. Include one change of clothing, nightwear and toiletries. Think of the contents of this bag as saving the day if your checked luggage doesn’t make it to your destination at the same time you do.This bag should have whatever you think you might want easy access to while on the plane. This is where your travel pillow, bottle of water, books and magazines, iPod or CD player goes.Recommendations/Suggestions
- Purchase small travel size plastic containers to hold all your toiletries.
- Make sure to alert all credit card companies and your bank that you’ll be traveling.
- Don’t bother with Travelers Checks. Lot’s of places don’t take them anymore. (see Travel Tips & Tools for more info on what kind of money to take with you)
- If you plan on driving, get an International Drivers Permit (IDP). Purchase these at your local AAA Insurance Company. Prices vary.
- Take 2-3 adapters for the country you are visiting.
- Take Melatonin to help with jet lag and work with your natural sleep cycle to help you rest.
Edie et al.,
After getting burned a couple of years ago due to ignorance, be sure to check out your credit card company’s policy about overseas purchases. I can’t remember the exact number, but Bank of America will slap you with an additional fee or interest rate that you don’t incur with domestic purchases.
After going to Europe last summer, my sister and I discovered that using our ATM (debit cards) was the way to go as far as not accruing any additional fees.
Just something to check in to…
I bet there’s no ice to go along with the fog in Ireland
~Lael
By: Lael on February 7, 2008
at 5:40 pm
thank you for the tip! I hadn’t seen that info before; good thing to know. I’ll certainly check now.
Yippee! no icefog in Ireland
just a bit of mist.
By: cowgirl53 on February 7, 2008
at 10:37 pm
I checked with Bank of America, and they charge 3% for foreign purchases. To get cash in a foreign country, it’s 6% (3% for the cash, 3% for the foreign money). But if I rent a car, the card will cover the car insurance if I use it to pay the rental fee. And be sure to tell the credit card company you’re going to a foreign country!
By: cowgirl53 on February 26, 2008
at 7:32 pm