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Selected Travel Tips Traveling abroad offers the opportunity to learn about other people: Be open, receptive and accepting of the differences between your country and the host country. Airline reservations. Due to operations, airlines may change the flight number and/or departure time with short notice. Please call the airline BEFORE going to the airport. Make sure we have registered the name of a contact person and their telephone number in case of emergencies. Airline tickets. Always check your tickets when you receive them and after you have checked in with the airline to ensure your return tickets are still intact. If you notice a problem call us or go back to the ticket agent who helped you at the airport. Airport Taxes. Have between US$15-25.00 per person available. Taxes are collected at departure time and cannot be prepaid. ATM Cards. Very helpful when traveling abroad, but very important to check with your local bank or credit card Company to ensure that your card is accepted in that country and your personal identification number (PIN) will work. You should also ask if any charges would be applied for using a foreign ATM. Caribbean Island Tips. Wear hat, sunglasses and sunscreen during first few days on island. We strongly recommend to travel with your passport. Motorists drive on the left in the Caribbean. Clothing. Bring layered clothing-you will find it very convenient if your itinerary includes mountains, deserts and jungles. Converters/Adapters. Bring these with you when traveling with electrical appliances; however some destinations (i.e. Amazon Jungle) may not have electricity! Credit Cards. Most hotels, shops and restaurants accept all major credit cards. Make sure to keep records of your credit card numbers in case of loss. Some facilities will ask for proper identification. Exchange of Currency. All major hotels have an exchange service. Some shopping and dining facilities will also exchange dollars. Consult with your guide or at your hotel. Please do NOT exchange money in the street. This makes you vulnerable to theft or to receive counterfeit money. Film/Video tapes. Bring plenty of them as in some places it may be costly or unavailable for your needs. It is also wise to bring an extra camera / recorder battery because the exact one needed may be difficult to locate. For rainforest, jungle areas film ASAE 400 or more is recommended. First Aid. It is a good idea to have a small first aid kit with you when you travel. It should include Band-Aids, medicated cream, antiseptic spray, aspirin, antacids and/or upset stomach reliever and cold relievers. Flight Reservations. Be sure to reconfirm your domestic and international flight reservations as soon as you arrive in each country. If you have arranged for transfer services with a local ground operator, they will reconfirm the flights for you and advise you of any changes. When a flight in the U.S. is cancelled, go to a phone booth and call the airline's toll-free number to make a confirmed reservation on another flight. At that point you can line up at the counter to have your ticket changed. On flights within foreign countries (non-US). If a flight is cancelled or delayed beyond a reasonable time while you are waiting for the plane-if you leave the airport, be sure to get your ticket back from the counter agent. This will help with any refunds or exchanges. High Altitute. (Above 2500 meter or 7500 feet above sea level). When visiting high altitude destinations, remember:
Immunizations. Please check with your personal physician first. Conditions vary from time to time and regulations between countries differ. Example: no immunizations are needed from the U.S. to Colombia or to Brazil; but you do need immunizations if you go from Colombia to Brazil! Insurance. Please make sure you are fully protected with health and/or accident insurance. Some policies may not cover you while abroad. *M*I*L*A* strongly recommends flight insurance and trip cancellation or interruption insurance. Luggage. Be sure to use MILA luggage tags in order to facilitate identification of luggage at airports and hotels. Bring an extra, expandable bag, for the numerous handicrafts and unique gifts available aborad! Make sure to check with each airline for current luggage limitations (size, weight and number of pieces). Meals. Meal times vary from country to country. In some lunch is usually taken between 1 and 2 p.m., with dinner at about 9 p.m. However, most hotels have 24-hour service for your convenience. Medications. If you are on prescribed medication, make sure to bring adequate supply. Keep your medicine in its original container. Carry a copy of your doctor's prescription for all medicines, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Miscellaneous Tips.
Passport. Make sure it has at least 6 months validity beyond your date of return. Please complete the information regarding who to contact in case of emergency. Keep a photocopy of your passport at home or office and travel with an extra photocopy. Check with the nearest consulate or with *M*I*L*A* regarding visa requirements. Side Trips. Mountains? Jungle? Ski Resorts? Pack only pertinent items for the duration of the excursion. Most hotels have storage facilities available which are safe for your remaining luggage. Tipping.
Your guide, driver, waiter, porter bellman, hotel maid may deserve
a tip for their service. Rarely tips are included at restaurants.
Tip according to service received. When Traveling with Children. Be sure to explain the itinerary clearly. Be sure they have a willingness to leave home. Know the children's eating habits. Know the children's medical history. Selected hotels can and do provide babysitting service. Travel Tips for your Honeymoon Share the news! Be proud about your status - you're likely to enjoy special treatment such as complimentary champagne in flight, or a gift basket in your room or cabin. Begin planning early. The sooner the better. Identify your destination and get exactly what you want. Get information on what there is to see and do. Reserve your air first and ASAP! Call MILA/BTR 800.367.7378 Share the planning. Select a destination aDiscuss places and activities a Negotiate a Decide. MILA/BTR can help. Call 800.367.7378 Set a tentative budget. Air, hotel, taxi, tours, theatre, helicopter rides, fun activities, tips, departure taxes, and meals: all are part of the budget!! Call us - we will help you in planning a realistic budget. Use a travel consultant. MILA/BTR will not charge you for our services, expertise or our technology. Our travel consultants will work with you in every detail. Register for your honeymoon with BridalTravelRegistry. Give your friends and relatives the option of a wedding gift via Honeymoon Travel Gift Certificates. MILA/BTR will assist you with the promotion of your Travel Registry. Ladies: Planning to take your spouse's name? You may not have time to amend your passport, driver's license, etc., until after you've returned from your honeymoon. Use your maiden name on visas, airline tickets, etc., so they match your name as it appears on your official documents. Be proactive! Put your name and address inside your bags as well as outside. Carry medicines, bathing suit, cosmetics and other basic essentials on board. Get new camera batteries before departing on your trip, take plenty of film, check what documents you will need to leave and enter your home country. Tips for Weddings Abroad Planning. MILA/BTR can help with the arrangements of your wedding abroad from identifying procedures and requirements to sending your 1st and 2nd announcements to your guests, obtaining group air and land prices and then help you with your Honeymoon. Residence Requirements. Most destinations require some residency before the marriage can be performed. Documents. Passports, visas, birth certificates, divorce decrees and death certificates may be required. Be prepared! Foreign Laws and Procedures. Every country has different laws regarding foreign marriage. The best source of detailed information is through that country's Consulate or Embassy. 4a Basic guidelines on Marriage in Jamaica. 24-hour residency with proof of residency status (passport or airline tickets), no blood tests required, and individuals may apply directly through their hotel of at the Ministry of National Security and Justice. CRUISE PASSENGERS CAN NOT MARRY IN JAMAICA!! 4b Basic guidelines on Marriage in Mexico. Only civil marriage is recognized as legal, no residence requirements (present tourist card and/or visa and passport), and small fee, divorced persons can not marry in Mexico until one year after the finalization of the divorce. 4c Basic guidelines on Marriage in St. Lucia. Passport, birth certificate, proof of absolute if one of the parties is divorced are all required documents, must complete an application to be married to the Attorney General who will issue the marriage license after two days of residency. There are notaries' fees, marriage license fees, registrar fees, and the cost of the marriage certificate. CONTACT MILA/BTR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 800.367.7378 Useful Links Europe in & after 2002 A new challenge. beginning January, 2002, the Euro will replace current notes and coins. Become familiar with the Euro prior to your trip. Visit http://europa.eu.int By February
28, 2002 national banknotes and coins will be withdrawn from use
(end of dual circulations period). Therefore,
spend the old currency NOW!
Exchange your dollars at Banks or at well known authorized currency
exchange locations. For updated and accurate information for each Euro country. Please visit the national euro website, during and after 2002. Don'ts. Do not pack medicine, eyeglasses, important documents and/or jewelry in your check-in luggage, don't bring good/expensive jewelry or dangling earrings, do not wait for the rush hour hotel departure time (try to settle your account prior to your scheduled hotel departure), do not be impatient (expect delays!) Need information
on the Euro? Need health
information? Need local
"money" equivalents in any world currency? Need to renew
or get a new US passport? Need local
time of any world clock? Need travel
tips for honeymoon, weddings abroad or in general? Need visa requirements? Call MILA/BTR for all deluxe individual & group travel arrangements * 1.800.367.7378 |
