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Summer 2018: How to Prepare for An Overseas Vacation

Are you hoping to jet off on a fun-filled vacation abroad this summer? You’ll want to ensure you have a smooth, hassle-free travel experience. To make summer 2018 a season you will never forget, find out how to prepare for an overseas vacation.

Apply or Renew a Passport

It can take six to eight weeks to process a passport in the US, so you must apply or renew it many months before your vacation to ensure it arrives in time. Also, if your passport will expire in less than six months, you must renew it, or you could be denied entry into some countries.

Find Out if You Need a Visa

Some countries will require visitors to acquire a visa to gain entry. You’ll need a valid passport to apply for a visa, which is why you shouldn’t wait to apply for one. Don’t leave it until last minute and allow for plenty of time to successfully complete a visa application.

Be Prepared for Flight Delays

Unfortunately, flight delays are common, and some airlines are reportedly worse for the problem than others. You, therefore, shouldn’t be too surprised if your flight is delayed or even canceled. While it can be frustrating, you will be happy to know FairPlane can help you secure compensation if your flight was delayed by more than three hours.

Buy Travel Insurance

While experiencing an accident and illness will not be on your itinerary, it can happen when vacationing abroad. Rather than leaving it to chance, you must invest in travel insurance if your medical insurance policy will not cover you overseas, or if coverage is limited. This will ensure you will not receive a large bill if you require medical treatment abroad. Depending on your reason for traveling, it might be wise to consider other travel insurance policies like cruise ship travel insurance if you’re working and having a holiday at the same time. Many cruise ship entertainers find these kinds of policies helpful.

Book Immunizations

Different countries have different health risks. Before you and your family head off on vacation overseas, you should book an appointment with your doctor to identify if you need any required or recommended immunizations. For instance, many countries will require visitors to have proof of a yellow fever vaccination before they are granted entry.

Arrange Travel Money

You are definitely going to need a substantial amount of money to have a relaxing trip overseas. While some people might save in advance to meet their travel goals, others could have failed to do so, and therefore, would require a plan to help finance their trip. For instance, elderly homeowners with no mortgage to pay can calculate equity release rate of their homes, by which they can acquire a certain amount of equity (money) from the overall value of the house and use it to travel anywhere in the world.

Also, never assume you can use a credit or debit card overseas. Instead, you should convert cash to your destination’s currency or take travelers’ checks with you. Doing so will ensure you will have money for food, drink, transportation, and activities.

Obtain an International Driving Permit

Are you planning to drive while overseas? Your existing driving license will not suffice in places like Finland and it can be a costly run in with local police if caught without a proper license, as Sambla’s recent financial advice column revealed. Ensure you are legally allowed to travel at your destination by obtaining an international driving permit. While you might never need to show it, you will be glad you have it if you are asked, as you will be required to carry it with you in many countries.

Learn Basic Words and Phrases

Are you visiting a country that doesn’t speak English as its first language? You should take the time to learn a few words and phrases in your destination’s native tongue. For example, you should learn “please” and “thank you.” It’s also important to memorize phrases if you have a food allergy to inform a server you cannot eat an ingredient.

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