Traveling internationally opens up a whole world of new adventures, but requires some advance planning to avoid glitches. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
√ Passport and Visa – Check the passport, visa, vaccination and other requirements for each country you will be visiting. I find the U.S. State Department has good information for U.S. travelers at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html You can email the link to your phone so you have it if you need it. The information also includes embassy and consulate contact information. In addition, consider registering for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to alert the State Department where you will be traveling and to get updated information about the area you plan to visit.
√ Cash and Credit/Debit Cards – I typically travel with my primary credit card, a backup credit card, my primary debit card, a backup debit card from a different bank, and a reasonable amount of local cash and U.S. dollars. While most restaurants and many shops will take credit or debit cards, some smaller merchants prefer cash. Most larger international airports and cities have ATMs where you can get local cash when you arrive. If you want to bring foreign cash from home, your bank or AAA can get it for you (check the fees). Also, note the conversion rate or use an app to convert the price of the item to U.S. dollars so you can make an informed decision about the cost of items you want to purchase.
Make sure you notify the bank for each credit or debit card, and ask them to put a travel alert on your card so that the unusual foreign transaction will not be blocked. Although most credit card companies will send a text to your phone when blocking a transaction, if your phone is in airplane mode, you may not receive the text in a timely basis. The travel alert informs the bank that you will be traveling in certain areas and to expect transactions.
Many credit cards charge transaction fees, as well as currency exchange fees for transactions in another currency. When choosing the credit and debit cards you take for travel, you may want to choose the one what has the most favorable fee structure. Also, for all cards, make sure you know the numerical pin in case you need it.
Separate your credit cards and cash so you are only carrying what you need and lock the rest in your hotel safe, if available. Consider the use of money belts or other underclothing document carriers to make it harder for thieves to steal your cards and cash. Carry your account numbers and emergency contact numbers for all cards separate from your cards in case your card is stolen. I email scans of my cards and documents to myself before I leave.
√ Hold Your Mail – The USPS has an easy online feature to apply for a mail hold while you are away, and either arrange for mail pick up or deliver all the held mail when you return.
√ Pay Bills – Pre-paying bills that come due while you are away can save you the hassle of trying to pay a bill from afar and avoid late fees.
√ Prescription Drugs – Many experts suggest bringing a copy of the prescription and keeping the medication in the original bottle. However, be aware that a number of countries have prohibitions about entering the country with certain classes of medications such as those containing codeine, pseudoephedrine, morphine, dexamphetamine, among others. Check with the official travel website for each country you are visiting to determine restrictions and other requirements.
√ Transportation System – Learn about the local transportation system if you plan to use public transportation. Make note of how and where to buy tickets, and the process of validating tickets. Some areas use only kiosks and require a chip id to purchase tickets, and others sell tickets in newsstands and other stores. Many now use an app. Carefully note whether tickets need to be validated and whether validation is done before you board or after. Some countries fine you if you fail to validate your ticket.
√ Health Insurance – Check your health insurance policy to determine whether you are covered out of network and/or outside the U.S. Most regular policies do not cover medical evacuation, but this coverage is available through travel organizations like AAA and insurance companies, and may be part of a more comprehensive travel insurance plan. Note: Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside of the U.S.
√ Travel Insurance – Many travelers choose to purchase travel insurance which can encompasses trip cancellation, various losses due to trip interruption, lost luggage, delays, and certain emergencies. Travelers can cover individual trips or a period of time or limit coverage to certain risks. Talk to your insurance agent or search the internet for more information.
√ Cell Phone – Using a cell phone outside the U.S. is a blog post in itself. Most importantly, learn what service you have to avoid surprises, which can be quite expensive. I don’t travel outside the U.S. for enough days to warrant the cost of a full international plan. Typically, I put my phone on airplane mode when I get on the plane and then rely primarily on wifi to get email, internet, and texts. My cell phone plan allows me to have international coverage for certain countries at $10 per day, should I need full service or want to check for messages mid trip. If you need to make or receive calls consider apps such as FaceTime Audio or What’s App.
√ Luggage Scale – Many of the international airlines have different requirements for weight and dimensions of luggage. Luggage scales are relatively inexpensive and weighing your luggage can save you from overweight bag charges and the hassle of redistributing weight at the airport. For carryon information, Skyscanner has size and weight restrictions for cabin baggage for most airlines. Double check the size and weight (for both cabin and checked baggage) for your specific flight on the airline website.
√ Food – Some countries are very fussy about bringing food into the country. I often take my own food on the plane/train because I must eat gluten free. Knowing about restrictions in advance can avoid problems at the border.
Taking the time to go through this or a similar checklist can help your trip go more smoothly. With less things to worry about, I have more time to enjoy my trip.
The first trip was to St. Andrews in New Brunswick. It was about a three hour easy drive up Route 1, crossing the border in St. Stephen (near Calais, ME), and back down the peninsula on the other side of the St. Croix River via Route 127 to St. Andrews. The primary attraction for the day in St. Andrews was the 
In addition to the Kingsbrae Garden, 
My favorite part of Campobello Island is the 
On the way back, be sure to stop in Lubec, ME (the easternmost point in the U.S.) to see the 
Several years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in Switzerland, staying with family. I asked where the locals eat when they were traveling around Switzerland, and the answer was – the grocery store. Two of the largest chains, Coop and Migros, had cafeterias in their stores that offered a wide variety of meals and individual items that were freshly made and relatively inexpensive.
No longer was the grocery store just for snacks and bottled water! If the hotel room has a refrigerator, you can pick up items for a couple of days at a time. Here are some suggestions:
Dinner – Many stores have store prepared hot items, salad bars, and pizza. You can also get items for a picnic such as roasted chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, bread, and cheese. Almost every area has beautiful parks or gardens available to enjoy your picnic. Some areas also offer free concerts or street performers (buskers) in the evening to entertain you while you eat. One of my favorite meals in Paris was meeting up with a group of people for a picnic of cheeses, sausages, bread, fruit, and wine in a local park on a beautiful evening.
With a backpack only weighing 12.5 lbs, navigating the airport and the long walk on my layover was a breeze. I opted to take the airport shuttle recommended by the hostel where I had reservations, but I was the fifth stop and an Uber for $5 more would have been better. However, I did get a good tour of the city.
out during WWII for the Pacific (including my father) started their journey and is now a national park. The hostel is up on a hill overlooking the bay, with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The San Francisco Bay Walking/Bike Trail goes right by the hostel and runs along the bay for miles. It was a 15-minute walk to Fisherman’s Wharf, 20 minutes to Pier 39, and 40 minutes to the Ferry Building. Walking the other way was the Marina area, where hundreds of people were out walking, running, and riding bikes right along the water and once a week they have a Food Truck (and Booth) event called Off the Grid.
Every morning while at Fort Mason I ate breakfast at a picnic table overlooking the bay and every evening watched the sun set over the bay. Although crowded, there are lots of things to do. I went to the Aquarium, some Maritime Museums, and the Exploratorium, which is an amazing place with hundreds of hands on activities for both children and adults. At Pier 39, which is a large commercial area, seals hang out on the docks. I spent hours walking by the bay and roaming around the area. I was amazed at the access people have to the bay.
There is a free swimming area and one evening I watched the large area triathlon group practice their swimming. For people who want to take a boat out onto the bay, there are options both large and small. It seemed like every corner had a bike rental place, and there was tons of public transportation. In the evenings, I hung around the common room, talking with other travelers (many international) or participating in activities such as a Tai Chi class. I decided to decline the Bar Crawl Tour led by one of the hostel employees.
For the fourth through seventh night, I hopped a bus to 
I decided to buy a two day hop on/hop off bus ticket, which offered unlimited rides on four different tours of the city in open air busses. On the first day, I took three of the tours (1-2 hours each), including one that went over the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito. The tour guides did a great job talking about the history of the area, the impact of the earthquakes, pointing out good places to eat and visit, and interesting stories.
and the Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens was having an exhibit called Flower Pianos, where twelve pianos were placed around the gardens and people were encouraged to play them. It was beautiful to walk around the gardens and listen to a 
variety of piano music. A short walk away was Haight-Ashbury, which was fun to wander through. When I was done, I just hopped back on the bus, and went off to the next place to explore. For my remaining days, I headed back to the bay area, stopping to watch the street performers, reading in the gardens by the water, people watching, eating ice cream, going for long walks, etc.
Staying at the hostels cost me a rate (before hotel tax in the downtown location) of $47 – $65 per night. A light continental breakfast was included. The Fort Mason hostel had eight women in a room and the downtown room had four. I prefer the smaller rooms, but because you are primarily using the room to sleep, it really doesn’t matter that much. Both locations had great common rooms and good communal kitchens.
My advice if you want to try hosteling is to try it for 2 nights. That’s enough time to get a taste of what hosteling travel is like without the risk of ruining your entire vacation if it doesn’t work out. Hosteling isn’t for everyone, but I found that as a single female traveling alone, it provides me with great people to talk to and a sense of community I don’t get when staying by myself in a hotel. Considering the hostels in both locations were full, a lot of people seem to agree.
in another project. These aren’t fancy and didn’t take long to make. I found some cord locks on Amazon that keep the bags closed. The bags stayed put for the whole trip, but if I was concerned, I could have used a strap around the bag to keep everything secure.
Strategically pack the bag like a jigsaw puzzle – no wasted space. Write down how you did it or take pictures with your phone so you can do the same when you return home. There you have it! One bag, 12.5 lbs.
I treated myself to a Sea to Summit Clothesline that is a tiny, yet ingenious product. It’s essentially two strings threaded through a series of beads. After you affix the clothesline to something using the built-in hooks, you thread a small part of your garment between the two strings and slide the beads close together to hold the item. Use in the bathroom, on the hostel bunk bed, or balcony (or anywhere else) to hang up your quick dry clothes and travel towels. When you are done, the clothesline stuffs into its tiny pouch. Combined with Dr. Bonner’s soap, this is an easy way to reduce the amount of clothing and underwear you need to bring on your trip.
Lightweight polyester bags – Lightweight polyester or nylon bags like the one pictured take virtually no space but can be very useful. I use a medium sized one to use when picking up snacks or daily groceries for hostel meals. I use a larger one when staying in hostels. Before I go to bed, I put the clothes for the next day in the bag and when showering in the morning, I hang the bag on the door knob or door hook. There’s rarely a dry space for clothes in a hostel bathroom. Using the bag helps me keep everything dry and together so I don’t lose anything.
lightweight packing cube with a handle. On the airplane, I use it to keep my cellphone, charger, ear plugs, lip balm, tissues, eye mask, ear phones, mini-flashlight, pen, snack, e-reader, etc. either next to me in the seat, under the seat in front of me, or in the seat back pocket. It is all within easy reach, and I don’t have to worry about losing any of it. If I am staying in a hostel, I keep the items I want to have in my bunk in the same bag. If I need a tissue or ear plugs, I don’t have to get up and disturb anyone by unlocking my locker to get these items. Many hostel bunks have an outlet for charging electronics so it’s easy to read on the phone and charge at the same time. Just remember to turn off all the sound and vibration on your phone – whether it’s with you or in your locker before you go to sleep.
you are tight for space and want to ‘wear’ what is essentially the airplane bag mentioned above. I wear it under a jacket or hoodie to try not to advertise that I am circumventing the carry-on weight limit for budget airlines or highlight that I am a tourist when I’m at the destination. However, used thoughtfully, these and similar vests keep your items secure and allow you to go hands and bag free when you want to. If I am travelling in minimalist mode, I either have to commit to wearing the vest whenever I change locations or leave it home because there isn’t room for it in my minimalist bag. Another nice advantage is that I can use the vest instead of a money belt. When the vest is zipped, articles in their own zipped pockets on the inside of the vest are reasonably well protected from pickpockets, but the vest allows for easy access to them. It also becomes a light layer for cooler weather.
Small Backpack – If you are traveling light – i.e. U.S. traditional carryon – adding a small backpack (such as this one by PacSafe) or folding travel backpack (mine is by Neatpack) either in the bag or as your 
personal item gives you a place to put your jacket, cell phone, snack, and travel information while you sightsee. If you are traveling minimalist with only one bag, just empty out the bag and use it for your day pack. If everything you have is in a packing cube or stuff sack, your things will still stay organized.
Traveling solo often involves eating meals in restaurants by yourself. Many women (and men for that matter) feel awkward about going to a restaurant alone. I’ve found that many restaurants are quite solo friendly, especially if you follow a few simple suggestions.
well. The pace is slower and the servers are often more able to accommodate your request for a single table near the window or the patio. Keep in mind that lunch is a better value in most areas. As you stake out places to eat, ask about when the menu changes from lunch to dinner or about any early evening specials. Also, if you are trying to order in a different language and/or have questions about various dishes, the servers have more time to interact with you when you come at a less busy time.
meal if you are sitting by yourself. Bring a book, some tourist brochures, word or number puzzles, or simply surf the net or read on your phone. Many restaurants have wi-fi available. Some people use their computer on the table. If you choose to do this, make sure you’ve chosen a seating option that gives you enough room to do this without encroaching on your neighbor at the bar or counter.
Shampoo and Conditioner – A disclaimer first – my hair is very short and easily washed. If you have longer hair you may need to find alternative products. Shampoo and conditioner come in various small bars. The key to using them is to keep the bars as dry as possible by letting them air out between uses. I cut off a piece or two big enough to last me for the specific trip and store these pieces in a metal or plastic small container. When possible I keep the lid off after use until these items fully dry. By using small pieces at a time, I don’t waste the product if the bar gets too moist and turns into goo. These bars tend to be expensive and this method allows me to get multiple trips out of a bar. I put the pieces of shampoo, conditioner, and soap in one small container to take into the shower.
For shampoo, I’ve tried Liggett’s Old Fashioned Bar Shampoo and Lush Lullaby Solid Shampoo. The Liggetts is more of a basic shampoo at fraction of the price of the Lush product. For conditioner, I’ve used the Bee Beauty Silky Hair Conditioner Bar. The Liggetts bar left my hair squeaky clean, 
but a bit stiff. Adding conditioner, I found that I had to use the Bee Beauty conditioner very sparingly or my hair would get sticky. It may be better suited to longer hair where you just swipe a little on the ends. My favorite is the Lush Lullaby shampoo, which is a gentle shampoo and leaves my hair soft enough to eliminate the conditioner. One product instead of two makes this minimalist traveler happy.
Moisturizer –The skin on my face is very dry and sensitive. I need to use moisturizer twice a day to keep the dryness at bay. Trying to find a solid alternative to moisturizing lotion proved to be a challenge. Honey House Naturals puts out a Bee Bar Hand and Body Lotion Bar, which uses the warmth of the hands to soften the bar sufficiently to get a film of lotion on the hands for 
application. Looking for something more face specific and finding little for adults, I turned to baby products. Babyorganics puts out an organic lip and face balm in a stick that works reasonably well for travel purposes.
sunscreen solid the size of a deodorant stick, but I wanted something smaller. These sticks are good for limited coverage for everyday activities, but probably insufficient if you are going to the beach or pool. If this is the case, it is easy to buy sun block on site. Because my nose easily turns into a beacon, I also use Badger Zinc Oxide Sunscreen All Season Face Stick. This product has a bit of a whitening effect, so I only use it when I’m in strong sun.
Toothpaste – I definitely prefer regular toothpaste, but for a couple of weeks, can deal with an alternative product. Eco-Dent makes a Baking Soda Toothpowder that has enough mint flavor to cover the baking soda taste. Some people make their own toothpaste dots. The 
Other items – Badger makes an After-Bug Balm in a stick which helps with itch relief. Purell comes in individually wrapped travel wipes. Stall Mates makes individual wrapped
flushable wipes. Olay and other brands make facial cleanser-infused dry towelettes that you moisten and use like a washcloth. Amazon and other vendors sell boxes of individual packets of antibiotic and cortisone gel (such as those in first aid kits), but I am not sure how TSA feels about these. I’m experimenting with taking a cotton swab and covering one end with antibiotic ointment and wrapping it tightly with foil. I haven’t needed to use them yet, so time will tell.
Sometimes traveling is about the destination, but it can also include learning how to view experiences through a different lens – even when you are not far from home. People who are considering traveling by themselves often have two major fears 1) the possibility that something bad will happen and 2) that they will be lonely and miserable. The first one is a topic for another time, but I’ve learned that with a simple shift in mindset, I can go a long way in mitigating the second one.
I live in Connecticut where we have miles and miles of ‘Rails to Trails’ bike/walking/running trails (see
I’ve told people that one of keys to traveling solo is to learn to participate with others – in a sort of community – for even brief periods of time wherever you travel. It’s hard to be lonely when you’re part of a community. These quasi-communities pop up when you’re on a tour with others, eating dinner at a communal table, or sitting in the common area in a hostel or hotel. They are not meant to be permanent – just people sharing the same time, place, and experience.
That day, I said nothing more than a bunch of ‘Good Mornings’ and one exuberant ‘You Go Girl,’ but yet, I was truly part of the community of people on the bike trail that morning. It’s all a matter of perspective. When you are traveling solo or doing activities by yourself, you can perceive that you are all alone in a group of strangers or as an alternative, you are part of a group (a community) of people doing the same thing as you are.
beach community – genius!).
My first roommates were women (aged 25-35) from Great Britain, Belgium, and Finland. The second night, the woman from Great Britain remained and we were joined by two college aged women from South Korea. For the most part, people did not hang out in their rooms, but either were out and about, or spent the evening in the common lounge. There was no shortage of people to talk with in the lounge and I soon realized that likely 25% of the people there were not what I would consider traditional users of hostels.
There were families (a private family room was cheaper than many hotels and provided access to the communal kitchen), others my age, one gentleman in his 80’s with another family member, and everything in between. People were sharing meals, information about things to do, and insights about life in their country and community. The second night I had a 3-hour conversation with my roommate from Great Britain and it was fascinating to hear her take on our recent presidential election, government sponsored health care, the EU, as well as some of the other places she had traveled on a shoestring.
Fortunately, I had read enough blogs to heed some suggestions on how to be a courteous roommate. Among them are 1) keep a flashlight in your bed so you can get into your locker without turning on the light, 2) lay out your clothes for the next day along with your toiletries so you can shower and get ready quietly in the bathroom, 3) keep the items in your locker organized so you don’t need to rummage, and 4) make sure your flip flops are handy because even though the bathroom was spotless, you want some protection for your feet.