Preparation

European Union

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states in Europe. Many neighbouring countries participate in specific areas, such as immigration controls and currency.

Aggregators

Aggregators are search engines or booking agencies that combine information about many hotels, transport providers or the like.

Americans in Cuba

Chinese provinces and regions

China's system of political geography differs somewhat from that in other countries. In some ways it is more complex and it has undergone considerable change over the last century or so.

Equipment

Equipment includes all things that travellers might bring with them.

European quick reference

This quick reference to Europe collects country codes, currency code information, direct dialling information and time zone information into a single location.

Getting ready to leave

Getting ready to leave your home for a longer trip can require significant preparation. If you have time to spare on the days before your journey, you can make both the transportation, the stay at your destination and your homecoming more enjoyable.

Metric and Imperial equivalents

Almost all countries in the world use the metric system, officially known as the International System of Units (French: Système International, or SI). Before the introduction of the metric system, there was no worldwide standard in units of measurement — every geographic region or country used their own system.

Packing for beach travel

This is a sample list of items and equipment you might want to take on a week-long trip to a beach resort in a developed tropical area, or some other part of the world (e.g., Portugal, New Zealand, Long Island, or Southern California) during the local summer months. Depending on where you're going and the time of year, some of the items may not be useful to you, and there are inevitably additional items you'll want to bring along, but this should give you a general idea of what you'll want to pack.

Pet sitting

When you're going on vacation and can't take your pet with you, you'll need a pet sitter to look after your pets temporarily while you're away. Pet sitting involve someone taking care of your pets in your absence.

Proof of what you already own

Although this discussion gives examples for U.S. customs processes, the basic precepts apply widely. If you plan to travel to other countries, you don't want to risk paying duty (as you return) on items (especially valuables) you already own and take on your trip, even including engagement rings.

Regional coding

Ever thought of buying a game or television programme not available in your home country when overseas? Ever learnt a foreign language and thought of buying a show in its original language when travelling in its country of origin?

Returning home

Unless your plan is to retire abroad, you will sooner or later come home again.

Time management

Travellers might often find themselves short of time for a journey, or at a destination. Business travellers might need to devote most of their time for work.

Time zones

Time zones and daylight hours affect travellers in many ways. Watches and smartphones may show a time different from the local one, friends may call in the middle of the night as it is afternoon at home, and the sun may rise at wall clock times you wouldn't expect.

Travel agencies

Travel agencies sell travel products, such as accommodation, transportation and attraction tickets on the behalf of the primary providers, either individually or as part of a package. They can also organize individual or group travel for their clients, at the very least as combinations of transportation and accommodation.

Travel basics

There are many things you have to take into consideration before and when you travel somewhere. This article presents travel basics and is geared towards people with comparatively little travel experience — this is not to say that experienced voyagers could not find it useful as well.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is short-term insurance available specifically against travel-related emergencies and expenses. International travelers will almost always want to obtain travel insurance to cover possible medical expenses, but even other travelers may find it useful depending on their plans.

Travel literature

Travel literature is a broad and popular genre of writing covering adventure and exploration, travel writing collections, travel-related memoirs, and travel-centric fiction. Travel writing often blends with essay writing, coming in the form of travel writing collections or as features in magazines.

Travelling during Ramadan

For many foreigners, a trip to any Muslim country is not complete without wandering around the chaotic bazaars while tasting local street food. However, be prepared if you are travelling to a Muslim-majority area during Islam's holiest month, Ramadan, as you might find that roads and bazaars are almost abandoned, with no refreshments whatsoever available on the street.