A tip I have heard often – and I am sure you have too – is to consider travel insurance.  We usually take such coverage, depending on the trip costs, the length of the trip and our destination.  Policies will vary, but generally there is some coverage for trip cancellation or trip interruption.  There will likely be several pages of details, so be sure to read documents carefully to insure the insurance will meet your needs/circumstances.

You should also check on health insurance.  Does your policy cover you if you are out of the country?  If you have purchased trip insurance, is there medical coverage and if so, is it sufficient?  If not, there are health insurance policies you can purchase for your trip.

If you are traveling internationally, there may be vaccines/immunizations that are recommended and/or required.  Check on this several weeks before your travel is scheduled.  Sometimes a series of injections is required.  Even if there is only one, it may take some time before your immunity is built up.  Consult with your physician.  You may also get basic information at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website.

If you are traveling out of the country, check out the Department of State website.  You will find travel alerts and warnings, country-specific information, and the opportunity to enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).  With STEP, you provide information about your dates of travel, destination and contact information.  In the event of an emergency (this could be terrorism, a natural disaster, etc.), the US Consulate or Embassy in the country you are visiting will have the information they need to provide you with safety information and/or assistance.  We have also received alerts about protests so know in advance of areas we may wish to avoid on a certain day or at a certain time.

When traveling outside of the United States, I would also suggest making copies of your passport page.  Leave a copy at home with a trusted relative or friend and also carry a copy with you.  That way you can leave your actual passport in a hotel or cabin safe so you know it is secure and will be available to you when you are ready to leave.  If you lose your passport or it is stolen, it can result in delays in leaving the country you are visiting.

Whether you are traveling abroad or within the United States, check emergency exit routes when you arrive at your hotel or wherever you are staying.  You might also want to make sure you have a flashlight app on your cell phone.  If power is lost, this can be vitally important to help you exit a building.