Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!
For more tips and ideas for safe and exciting travel, go to a Savvy Sightseer - Going Solo! travelogue. Click on the Travelogues tab to find one near you.
Here's where you will find tips, links and ideas to make your vacation even better.
Check back often - I will update it regularly; regulations are always changing!
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: Any travel outside of the United States requires proper identification, which no longer means just a valid driver's license. For Europe and other countries, a U.S. Passport Book is necessary. Since these carry a 10-year expiration period, it is always wise to check the date on current passports. Some countries require passports that do not expire within six months of the traveler's intended departure from the country. Always allow plenty of time to process either a new or renewal application for Passports. For further information, visit the U.S. Passport site. In 2024, the United Kingdom will start requiring US citizens to have an Electronic Travel Authorization visa waiver (ETA) to enter the country. Applications will be available online and the ETA must be granted prior to entry. Details are still being finalized; check this site for updates: UK ETA. Likewise, the European Union is rolling out the ETIAS program affecting Americans traveling to certain EU countries. ETIAS stands for EU Travel Information & Authorisation System. Travellers visiting Europe starting in 2024 onwards will be required to purchase an approved ETIAS online prior to their departure. Click this link for a video explaining more.
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DOMESTIC TRAVEL: Real ID, Enhanced Driver's License or a Passport Card (cheaper but more restrictive than a Passport Book) will be required for any air travel within the United States, starting in May 2025. A standard issue state driver's license will no longer be accepted to board a plane. The EDL and Passport Card will also permit travel between the US, Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries, but by land and sea only; the Real ID is only valid for domestic travel. Passport Books will still be required for any air travel to/from the US. For more about Real ID or the EDL, visit this site.
Travel Alerts - The U.S. Department of State has a service to keep U.S. travelers to foreign countries up-to-date on safety conditions in your destination country, help the U.S. Embassy contact you in the event of any type of emergency and help family get in touch with you if needed. Signing up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is free and easy. For more information and to register, visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Travelers' Health Insurance - Health care providers vary greatly in what, if any, medical expenses they will cover for U.S. travelers vacationing outside of the United States. To be certain what will or will not be covered, contact your provider well in advance of a trip. For valuable information and links to short-term traveler health care insurance, visit the Your Health Abroad page of the U.S. Department of State. Medicaid doesn't cover you outside of your own state, and Medicare doesn't cover most expenses beyond the U.S. border. Here's a video link for more details about Medicare coverage while in Canada, on a cruise and overseas: Medicare.gov.
Travel Insurance - Vacations can be costly, especially if they involve airline tickets or organized tours. Any number of things can happen that can lead to a canceled or interrupted trip. The good news is there's companies that provide insurance to cover everything from lost luggage to medical evacuations. The better news is that not everyone needs the coverage. Before purchasing a travel plan, check to see if you need one. Your credit card company may cover most contingencies. Your homeowner's or private health insurance may cover you while traveling. So check with these first. If you need additional insurance, there are many companies to work with. You might start with a site that compares different products, then go to those sites directly for a quote. Definitely compare coverages, costs and excluded items for any policy before selecting one, including the packages offered by your travel agent or tour company. Some sites where you can learn more are Consumer Affairs and Insure My Trip. This is a definite case for Buyer Beware; here a good video to help you understand what's involved: Consumer Reports.
Bathrooms - gotta have them! Unfortunately, in Europe, they often come with a pricetag - even up to 1 Euro! If you think about places where businesses want to be very customer-friendly, and ensure potential sales won't be running out just to get to the bathroom, and you will find ways to save money. So far, I've found these freebies in department stores, food courts, book stores and hotels (big ones don't usually know all their guests, so if you just walk in like you belong, no one stops you!). Also - always ask where you eat. They may not advertise it, but often they provide services to customers.
Cash - I always like to start my trip with local currency in hand. There are plenty of places to purchase foreign money; check your local directory. Do not count on all places accepting American credit cards; some European shops only accept cards embedded with chips. Before using your credit card overseas, check what type of fees and exchange rates you will be getting. Different banks or credit unions vary greatly in what their true costs of conversion are. Also, most credit card issuers need to be notified when you are traveling; if they detect unexpected use of your card in a foreign country, they may put a stop on your card until they can contact you. Call and tell them where and when you are going.
Single Supplements - These can drastically change the bottom line price for your trip. Shop around; see if a company offers the same tour for no or less of a single supplement fee. Some tour companies waive the supplement altogether on specific tour dates, usually in the off or "shoulder" season. Many tour companies offer the option to share a room with a fellow traveler to avoid the fee; think long and hard before doing this! I've seen lifelong enemies made this way. For some it works out; you really have to know yourself before you make this kind of commitment. Or partner up with a good friend and share the room and expenses.
Safety - A person traveling alone, regardless of gender or age, should take some precautions to protect him/herself. Being alert to your situation is critical. A very easy action you can take is to bring along a simple door wedge (I bought a package of two for only $1.98) and secure your hotel door at night. Also, I like to have a lightweight backpack with hidden zippered sections for my most important items. To be extra careful, when traveling in a very populated place where pickpockets are known to target tourists (ex. Italy train station), I'll wear the backpack in front.
Luggage Tags - Keep the name and address part of your tag, if it is not embedded that way in your suitcase. Sad to say, there are some unscrupulous people hanging around airports and transit stations. They jot down visible addresses and pass the information to a colleague - they can be pretty sure that house is empty and prime for a robbery.
