Travel Tips
Minimize Jet Lag
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar drinks. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
  • Try to sleep if flying overnight instead of staying awake to watch the in-flight movies.
  • Take along a comfortable travel pillow as many airlines are no longer offering pillows to their customers.
  • Regularly stretch and walk around the plane. This is particularly important on longer flights.
  • When you arrive at your destination, try to stay awake until evening. The best way to do that is to stay active.
 
Passport Requirements

U.S. Citizen Passport Requirement

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) once fully implemented will require all travelers entering or reentering the United States to be in the possession of a valid passport.

Here's a quick rundown of the rules as they stand today:

Passengers traveling by air: Now, all U.S. citizens (including children!) must present a passport or another approved type of secure travel document when they enter any U.S. gateway via air.

Passengers traveling by land or sea: Now through May 31, 2009, U.S. citizens ages 19 and older must present a valid passport or another combination of approved documentation establishing both (a) identity and (b) citizenship.  U.S. citizens18 and under only need to show proof of citizenship,
such as an official copy of their birth certificate.

Starting June 1, 2009, though, these land and sea rules change. On that date, the requirements for re-entering the U.S.A. via land or sea will convert to the air standards above - a valid passport, basically. However, you can also opt for a wider range of WHTI-compliant documents that will also work for land and sea travel. For example, the U.S. government is already taking applications for the new passport card that's less expensive than a full-blown passport, but they only work for trips within the Western Hemisphere. Also, some states like Washington have begun issuing “enhanced driver’s licenses” with security features that make them acceptable as ID to federal officials. (Other states working on such licenses including Arizona, New York, and Vermont, but more states will follow suit.)

Note that one new option for land and sea travel - getting a U.S. passport card -- will only work for land and sea travel. Passports cards will not be accepted for air travel.

And, to make matters more interesting, cruise passengers on a sailing that begins and ends in the same U.S. port (e.g., a roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean) will still be allowed technically to present a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (such as an official copy of their birth certificate) instead of a passport. However, if they’re not sailing roundtrip to and from the same U.S. port, they will need a passport for sure starting June 1, 2009.

Advice: Get a passport!!

For additional passport information visit U.S. Department of State.
 
Passport
  • Check to make sure your passport is valid for all countries you will visit.
  • Many countries require your passport to be valid during and beyond the length of your stay (usually a minimum of six months), so check your itinerary.
  • It’s a good idea to carry an additional passport photo in case your passport is lost or stolen and you need a replacement while on vacation.
  • Email yourself a copy of the front page of your passport. That page will be a big help if you need to replace a passport.
  • Continue to monitor the ever-changing passport rules.
  • Remember that you are supposed to carry your passport with you at all times. A money belt worn under your clothing is a good place to carry your passport.
 
Packing Tips
Most people pack too much when traveling. The following may help you when trying to make packing decisions:
  • Lay out all your items before packing so you can revaluate while looking at everything.
  • Color-coding your clothing will help you mix and match.
  • Pack items such as socks, belts in your shoes to save space.
  • Pack items tightly so they don’t move around and wrinkle.
  • Dry cleaning bags placed between layers of clothing help minimize wrinkling.
  • Rolling rather than folding items helps to save space and minimize wrinkling.
  • Pack toiletries in zip lock bags to avoid spills.
  • Remember that individual containers containing more than 3 oz. of liquid must be checked.
  • Do not pack medication, money, jewelry, or travel documents in your checked luggage.
  • Pack sunscreen and insect repellant. It will be much cheaper to buy that here than at your destination.
  • Take a few zip lock bags for carrying wet items or for keeping things dry.
  • Pack an extra pair of glasses or carry your prescription with you.
  • Make sure your name, address, and telephone number is inside your suitcase. If attaching a luggage tag to the outside, make sure it is a tag with a cover to conceal your personal information.
  • Lock your luggage with TSA approved locks to prevent tampering. It’s important to have the ability to lock your luggage while touring, not just for the flight.
  • If traveling overseas, make sure you know what type of adaptor you will need for the electrical outlet.
  • If you have food allergies, carry a card (preferably in the language of the country you are going to visit) to alert restaurant staff.
 
Get Ready to Travel
  • Put a hold on newspaper delivery
  • Ask the post office to hold your mail or arrange for it to be collected by family or friends.
  • Don’t forget to call the kennel for your four-legged friend.
  • Alert your travel agent or airline if you have special dietary requirements.
  • Give a copy of your itinerary to a relative or close friend.
  • Call your credit card company with the dates and places of your travel.
  • Write down the emergency numbers (not the charge card numbers, just the telephone numbers) of your credit card companies in the event a card is lost or stolen.