Travel PREPARATION

General travel tips

Passports/Visas

• Minors traveling with either one parent or no parents must have a certified letter of permission from the parent or parents who is/are not traveling.

  • This letter must be presented at airport check-in.

• All international tours require a current passport.

• Entrance to most countries requires your passport be valid for 6 months after your return date.

• Names on airline tickets must appear as shown on passport.

• Photocopies are not acceptable forms of identification.

• Non-U.S. Citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements of the destination countries.

• Contact the local Consulate of the country or countries you intend to visit for information.

• If you have a criminal background, you are responsible for knowing the travel restrictions pertaining to the offense.

Currency

• Plan to take some foreign and American currency in cash. You can get local cash from ATMs, usually with added fees from your bank, but be sure to have cash in hand when you arrive. Your bank or credit union may offer the best exchange rates. You can generally order it online and pick it up at your bank but be sure to do this well in advance, as it sometimes takes a week or two. Keep in mind, order fees are often waived when ordering $1,000 US or more.

• See the button below for the most current foreign exchange rates.

Adapters

• Different countries means different outlets. Make sure that you research what kind or adapters you need for the country you are visiting.

• Keep in mind, an adapter is NOT a voltage converter. Most converters will not work for curling irons, unless you invest in a high wattage converter. Do your research on this. For iPhones, take the bigger box charger and not the little cube box for quicker charging and it won’t get hot.

• A recharging brick or charger is invaluable if you are a picture-taker. We recommend the Anker Portable Charger for its slim profile and ability to recharge a phone multiple times.

• See the button below for all the different types of outlets and adapters needed per country.

Notify bank and cell-phone services

• Notify your bank and cell-phone services that you are traveling.
  This way your banks know the overseas charges are legitimate. While you’re updating your bank, check to make sure your ATM card will work in the destination country.
  Also consider increasing your cellular data accordingly as international roaming fees may apply.

Apps and online registration

• Register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Program. https://step.state.gov/step/

• Download apps: downloadable offline city and subway maps. Language apps: SpeakEasy (free version is helpful as it has voice pronunciation)

paper versions and pictures

• Take pictures of the inside of suitcases and the things you pack. In the event of lost luggage this will help to prove what’s inside for airlines, hotels and insurance companies. 

• Place a photocopy of your passport and driver’s license in each piece of baggage. Copies make it a little easier to fax to an embassy in the case of a lost passport or prove lost bags are yours.

  • We also recommend that you email yourself and a family member or trusted friend at home, a copy of your passport. This way you can easily access your documents wherever you have internet access.

• A written list of the most important phone numbers for people at home, should you not know them off the top of your head. In the case you lose your phone, this will be helpful to make contact.

Carry-on

• Pack essentials in a carry-on so you have whatever you need in the event of delayed luggage: medication, glasses, chargers, set of clothes, toiletries under 3 oz., etc.

Travel insurance

• We recommend getting travel insurance. This can save you a lot of stress and money if something happens on your vacation. You can book this either on your own or we can help you with this.

Packing check list

carry-on / with you at all times

• Passports, driver’s license, health insurance cards and COVID19 vaccination card (if applicable). 

• Hotel address and planned transportation to get there.

• Flight confirmations and boarding passes. Screen shot boarding passes to have them in your photo roll in case there is no wi-fi or internet if you use your phone to check in and get boarding passes. To be on the safe side, have them printed.

• Toll-free numbers (domestic and international) for your bank, credit cards, and the local US embassy.

• Technology: Phone, Laptop, Cables, Chargers, Ear buds, portable phone recharger.

• Mask/face-covering

• Money for tips/extras

• 2-3 weeks of medications (In case of quarantine)

Toiletries:

Carry on 3 oz. (100ml) sizes kept separate in clear bag for scanning. NO aerosols are allowed on the plane.

• Reef safe sunscreen

  • We recommend the Stream 2 Sea brand

• Insect repellent

  • We highly recommend the Sawyer brand Picardin lotion (we found the spray doesn’t work as well)

• Glasses: Prescription and Sunglasses 

• Contact lenses, case, extra pair, and solutions

• Toothbrush/ toothpaste/ floss – keep in mind these often require voltage converter to charge

• Mouthwash or whiteners

• Shampoo / Conditioner

• Razor / Shaving cream

• Shower scrub

• Face and body creams

• Hair Products /brush

• Curling or Flat Iron – make sure you have an adapter that can convert the wattage.

• Over-the counter relief: Tylenol/ Rolaids/ Tums/ Antacid/Decongestants

• Vitamins

• Band-Aids

• Tissues- keep in your carry-on bag or purse, in case of empty toilet tissue

Miscellaneous

• Empty water bottle

• Travel umbrella

• Books, magazines, travel journal

• Fabric market bag – European grocery stores make you pay for bags & sometimes don’t have them 

• Camera/memory cards

WARDROBE

• Pants / Skirts – Casual, dressy, sporty

• Tops – If you won’t wear them twice, don’t take them; a crisp white shirt is always good to have

  • We recommend lightweight merino wool t-shirts

    • They are lightweight and comfortable in any temperature (from tropical to arctic), great for multiple use wear and layering.

    • Our favorite travel t-shirts are Proof 72-Hour

• Undergarments / Socks

• Shoes – wear comfortable, stylish shoes, tennis shoes are more acceptable these days (if you care)

• Easy accents: scarves, belts, necklaces

• Light Scarf- if planning to visit cathedrals or mosques, required for women to cover shoulders and/or head

• Watch and jewelry- leave anything you would bemoan losing, at home.

• Dressier clothes for fine dining, ties, suit jackets

For a week in Europe or the Mediterranean, think in threes - bring items you might wear three times and can be mixed or matched; dress stylish, neatly, and without fuss. Add lightweight accents.

Cold weather Travel
In addition to the wardrobe list above, you may want to consider packing the following, depending on your destination and activities:

• Coat, Jacket, Outer wear

  • Bring layers so that you can put more on/take more off depending on your comfort level

• Hats, ball caps, Head warmer, earmuffs

• Scarf, Gloves

• Merino Wool socks

  • We recommend these Darn Tough socks

• Boots

• Thermal wear/Base layers (merino wool)

  • Depending on the weather, you may need both tops and bottoms

  • We recommend anything by Smartwool

• Sweaters/Sweatshirts

Warm Weather Travel
In addition to the wardrobe list above, you may want to consider packing the following, depending on your destination and activities:

• Poncho/Raincoat

• Swimsuit

• Swim cover/ Wrap

• Shorts

• Sundresses

• Flip Flops and sandals

• Sunhat, ball caps, visors

Scuba diving

If your trip includes SCUBA diving, here are some of the items you should pack:

• Certification cards (required)

• Logbook (required)

• Mask (required)

• Fins & snorkel (highly recommended)

• Booties (highly recommended)

• Reef safe sunscreen (required)

  • We recommend Stream 2 Sea brand or Badger

• Hydration packets (w/potassium) (highly recommended)

  • We recommend Electrolyte Recovery Plus brand

• Save a dive kit

• Regulator w/safe second

• Wet suit or dive skin

• BCD

• Computer/ gauges (check batteries)

• Gloves

  • Note- not all dive locations allow you to wear gloves while diving- check your dive destination for the rules on gloves

• Dive torch(es) (highly recommended)

• Tank Lights (highly recommended)

• Beanie/hood

• Mask de-fog

• Signaling device/above and below

  • SMB

  • Metal Pointer/noise maker

• Mesh bag

• Gear bag

• Slate

• Ear ease

• StingMaster

  • Available at the Aquatic Adventures of Ohio dive shop, or online

How to apply sunscreen

Following the steps below will greatly reduce the amount of chemicals going into the ocean since most sunscreens that are reef friendly, still can cause damage:

1. Apply your sunscreen first thing in the morning, before you even leave your room for breakfast.

2. Do NOT apply sunscreen immediately before getting into the water for your swim/snorkel/dive.

3. IF you feel like you need more sun protection while you are on the boat, move into the shade, keep your wetsuit on, put on a hat, put on a sun shirt, or cover up with a towel.

4. Assure you have at least 30 minutes to an hour after application of your sunscreen and before entering the water.

5. Invest in high quality clothing that shades you from the sun’s damaging rays. (REI makes fantastic sun shirts with hoods and thumb holes that are great for protecting your hands and the back of your neck.)

6. Please DO NOT bring or apply sunscreen on the deck of the boat or on the beach right before entering the water. IF you need help getting sunscreen on your back, ask a friend or a roommate to help you before boarding the boat or leaving your room for the day..

Below is a helpful article that helps explain a little more about how we can all be more helpful in protecting our oceans while wearing this important protective piece to keep us safe from the suns harmful rays: