Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at
home so that you can be contacted in case of an
emergency. Prior to your departure, you should register
with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the
State Department’s travel registration website
(travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs). Registration will
make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is
necessary to contact you in an emergency.
Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the
countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the U.S.
Constitution does not follow you! While in a foreign
country, you are subject to its laws. Read the Consular
Information Sheets (travel.state.gov/) and Public
Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable for the
countries you plan to visit. In order to avoid violating
local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you
exchange money or purchase art or antiques. If you get
into trouble, contact the nearest U.S. embassy.
When you cross several time zones, there are ways to
minimize the effects of "jet lag". For example, try to get
extra sleep the week before your trip. Take earplugs and
an eye mask to shut out distractions so that you can
easily sleep on the new schedule. And force yourself to
maintain your normal sleep pattern so that your body can
adjust more quickly. It is common to become dehydrated on
a long flight, so drink plenty of water and avoid drinking
alcohol, which dehydrates the body even further.
Keep all of your receipts for purchases of goods or
services outside of the U.S. In many other countries, a
VAT, or "value added tax" is added to the purchase price
of everything from theater tickets to toothpaste.
Depending on the country that you are traveling to, these
taxes can be as high as 25% or 30%. The good news is that
if you have your receipts, VAT is reimbursable when you
return to the U.S. Also be aware that U.S. Customs
regulations allow travelers a maximum of $400.00 per
person duty free allowance upon re-entry to the United
States
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