Europe Travel 101 -

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See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Europe Travel 101 - Before you take that first trip to Europe Here's a suggested timeline for things an independent traveler needs to do before heading off to that European destination. Thinking about taking an independent trip to Europe? Below you'll find topics to consider before you take off. The recommended time before departure that you should be taking action is found in the colored bar on the left. In the gray box on the right you'll find links leading to more detailed information on any of the topics. Like most planning guides, this is a tool meant to simply remind you what you need to do when to make the standard vacation go as smoothly as possible. Although the list may seem daunting to you, you'll find that many of the tasks are optional. Unless otherwise noted, most of the planning tasks can be done earlier than recommended. A shorter, unannotated list with resources can be found here . A printable checklist can be found here . Jump to: 6 Months 3-4 Months 6 Weeks - 2 Months 1 Month Last Minute What You Need to Do Resources 6 months before you go - Choose Your Destination! Now (or even sooner) is the time to choose your general destination. There are lots of resources on the right to help you. Remember that while Europe is quite compact compared to the US, the travel times between countries may be longer than you think. Once you've chosen your primary destination, you'll be able to go on to the next things on the list. Language Let's say you've chosen France as your destination and you'd really like to get to know the country and its people. Well, now is the time to start thinking of learning a bit of the language. A single beginner's course in spoken French at your local community college will teach you the basics cheaply enough. We also have extensive resources for learning European languages here on the About network. Please, at least think about learning the "politeness" words--natives will thank you for trying and will likely be more receptive to your questions. See Languages for the Tourist on the right to find out how easy it is. Renting a House or Apartment Now is the time to think about reserving that perfect apartment for the week (or month). You can wait until later to do this, but the best go fast. Living in the country you're visiting gets you into the swing of daily life: you'll be able to go to the open air markets and cook the food you buy, you won't have to think about maids (unless you want to) or checking in, and things can be as secure as you make them. Guidebooks Once you've figured out where you'd like to spend most of your time, it may be time to pick out a guidebook. You can purchase guidebooks that cover all of Western Europe, just a single country, or even a province or region like Tuscany. Choosing a Destination: Travel Planning Europe Planning Map Clickable Europe map with links to Country maps and Travel Essentials. How I Travel Europe Europe and Fading Traditions: Go Soon! Weather -Climate - When to Go Language: Languages for the Tourist Rentals Unusual Lodging Lodging Links Guidebooks Top European Guidebooks 3-4 months before you go - Start Checking Airfares You can start checking sooner--although we've found searching 3-4 months before your flight is a pretty good bet; the airlines are starting to discount in order to reward early bookers and yet there's still time to wait if prices aren't to your liking. The airline computers are constantly revising the pricing based on the latest demand, so the cheapest prices might turn up anytime--but you might not want to wait that long. Use the Finding Bargain Airfares link if you're unfamiliar with the bargain hunting process. Apply for a Passport if you don't already have one If you don't have a passport, this is the time to start thinking of applying. While the literature says it takes 6 weeks to procure a US passport, you don't want to leave it to the last possible moment--it's a vacation killer if something goes wrong. And despite what you may have heard or read in the past, a separate passport is required for each and every family member traveling with you. First-time applicants 13 years of age and over must appear in person at a U.S. passport office, a designated courthouse or the Post Office. You'll need a birth certificate or proof of citizenship, a photo identification, two recent 2" x 2" photos of your face, and a bundle of money. You'll find the latest requirements and downloadable application form by clicking Passport Links there on the right. (You don't need a health certificate in Western Europe and you won't need to worry about a visa as long as you're staying fewer than 90 days and aren't going to Turkey.) Shoes and Walking Now is a good time to pick up some walking shoes and start getting them broken in. You'll walk a lot in Europe, even if you have a car; much of the city centers in Europe are pedestrian only zones. Be prepared. Airfares Finding Bargain Airfares Passports Passport Links Where to go to apply, a downloadable application form, and how to make it as easy as possible. 6 weeks to 2 months before you go - Reserve Lodging - Hotel If you haven't already reserved the hotels you've seen on the web and fallen in love with, now is the time to do so. But do you need to reserve in every city you're planning to visit? Here's what I do: I reserve a hotel for my arrival and departure days as well as any long-term apartment rentals I've selected. The rest I leave to chance. You may feel uncomfortable with this arrangement, but, with a few exceptions, it's worked just fine for me. When traveling by train, I prefer to arrive at my destination early, take a hotel by the train station and just drop my bags there and explore the city on foot. You can read the whole strategy in my Footloose Travel article. Car or Train? If you haven't already chosen, now would be a good time to select your primary mode of transportation. Select Train or Car? from the links on the right if you just can't seem to decide which is best for what you want to see. Rail Pass Do you need one? Here are some tips: Trains in the south-Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece--are pretty cheap. If you're going to one or several of these places you might find that a pass isn't necessary. Just go to the station and buy a ticket. EurRail passes offer great savings if you plan right. For a saver pass you'll need to plan to take several long trips so that you can spend the travel days mostly on the train. Save money by going overnight; you'll save on hotel costs and make maximum use of your pass. Check the types of passes available carefully, to use them to an advantage, you may have to juggle some travel plans. Car Rental or Leasing and an International Driver's License Leasing a car is sometimes better than renting, especially if you're staying in Europe for more than 17 days. Leasing gets you a brand new car without rental company stickers on it and the pricing includes everything you need. When you turn it in at the end of your trip a lucky European will get to purchase that almost-new car for much less than a completely new one (This comes about because taxes on a new car are much higher than the taxes on even a slightly used one, so both parties benefit from this arrangement). If you've chosen driving as your primary mode of transport in Europe, you should get an International Driver's License . Available at Auto Clubs, they're just a translation of your License into European languages. Sometimes police won't demand them, accepting your original license instead. But still, it doesn't hurt to get one, and they're pretty cheap. A couple of passport-sized pictures are required. Even though you can usually just walk into your auto club and come out with an International Driver's License, I recommend not putting this off: the paperwork needed is often "out of stock." Lodging Accommodation Links You can also find lodging in specific countries or cities by going to a specific destination page. Footloose Travel Striking a balance between travel freedom and overplanning. Hotel Star Ratings Do you know what they mean? How I Travel in Europe Just in case you want to know. Transportation within Europe Rent or Lease? Train or Car? Driving in Europe Links Transportation Links European Train Travel Links 1 Month before you go - Travel Insurance Now is the time to think about insurance. If your health insurance doesn't cover you overseas, or your homeowners insurance doesn't cover loss of material goods, then there are some temporary plans that might set your mind at ease. Check our Insurance Links for more. Luggage How's your luggage? Is it easy to carry? Got more than a foot and a half of duct tape holding it together? If you want to be mobile, maybe you want to see if you can fit everything into a carry-on. It's not all that hard to do in the summer when you probably won't be needing heavy clothes. Rick Steves recommends walking around with all the stuff you think you'll need, then discarding half of it. I like the method I learned in Boy Scouts. Separate everything into three piles: stuff you absolutely need and use often, stuff you'll use occasionally, and stuff you probably won't use at all. Then eliminate the last two piles. Remember: Europe isn't lacking material goods. If you need a heavy sweater because it's unusually cold in August, chances are you won't be more then 50 feet from someone who'll sell you a great one. Don't forget, laundries are pretty easy to find (but usually expensive) and laundromats are are starting to show up in most popular tourist areas. Besides, if you rent a house or apartment it may include a clothes washer and possibly a dryer (but more probably a clothesline). Cameras If you've bought one for this trip, learn how to use it. If you need one, now is the time to purchase--don't put it off until the last minute and then end up standing in front of the Louvre all befuddled because you can't figure the danged thing out. Film If you're going to use film (how so very 90's!) you might consider purchasing one of those lead-lined bags to take it in. These reduce (but don't eliminate) the radiation from airport x-ray machines and thus the chance of film fogging. What I do to bypass this possibility is to buy and process my film in Europe. Sure, guidebooks say film and processing is more expensive overseas (but not much these days), but I look at it this way: are you gonna worry about fogging or are you willing to spend a buck and a half more per roll for peace of mind out of the thousands you're gonna spend on your vacation in total. Seems like false economy to me. Plus I get to show my pictures around to other travelers while I'm in Europe. Cell Phones If you need to be in constant touch with the office or someone special, you can rent cell phones that work throughout Europe. Often your car rental company can handle this, or you can check our Cell Phone Rental links for companies that'll rent phones for the short term. Email It's time to think about how you're going to handle your email in Europe, if that's important to you. If you have several accounts you want to check, you'll need to set up an online system for getting all your email. I use webbox , but other options are explained in the article Staying Connected . Money Yeah, it's time to get the long green together. I take some traveler's checks as a back-up, but mostly use the plentiful ATM machines in Europe to get cash. You need to have a 4-digit pin number to use many European ATMs. Watch one thing though: plan to have enough money to last through weekends--some people are reporting that certain banks in Europe don't update the customer's daily limit on Saturdays and Sundays and so if you've maxed out your daily allowance on Friday, you might find that you can't get more until Monday. You might also think about getting some Euros (or local currency for countries that don't use Euros) for the first day or two, if only to get used to them and assure yourself that you'll be able to afford a coffee in the airport. How much Money? Well, that varies, of course. A couple like Martha and I can get by on on $150 a day in most Mediterranean countries, although it's becoming a stretch these days. That'll get you a two or three star hotel with breakfast and two other meals taken in a restaurant with wine, plus entrance fees to museums and such. It's an average over the whole period of vacation--some days you'll get soaked, some days you'll find bargains. Students and the young-at-heart set willing to stay in hostels and eat street food or make their own grub in the Hostel kitchen will be able to do it for much less, of course. Keeping your money and documents secure You'll need a way to keep your passport and important items away from thieves. While Europe is still safer from violent crimes than the US, high tourist volumes in major cities tend to attract the slash and run crowd. Use a money belt or pouch that goes inside your clothing like seasoned travelers do. Keep your passport and important documents together in it. Don't wear a fanny pack with the pack turned around to actually ride on your fanny. It looks stupid and is a magnet for thieves. Women should avoid big purses with shoulder straps as those straps can be cut easily and the purse removed by a well-trained thief in seconds. Whatever can be said about European petty thieves and pickpockets one thing stands out when you talk to people who've been hit: they're good at what they do. Find recommended security stuff and other indispensable items under Travel Accessories . Voltage and Plugs European voltage is twice that of the wimpy American 110. The wall plugs are different as well. If you plan on using electrical appliances you may need to purchase adapters and power converters now. Check out my article European Electricity and the Connected Tourist for the skinny on what you'll need to make your stuff work in Europe. Me? I don't carry much more than the battery charger I bought in Italy to recharge my digital camera's batteries. Maps You should be far enough along in your travel planning to think about what maps you'll need.If you're in a car and like to get off the main highways, you'll need to purchase good maps. We use Michelin country and regional maps when we drive, purchasing the regional maps for areas we're staying in for a week or longer. You can get European driving maps from your auto club, but they're often not detailed enough to get you to the back roads. Keeping in Touch If you're the postcard-writing type, you'll need to have a means of keeping all those addresses where you can find them. Before the era of PDAs and email, I made sheets of labels for everyone who'd want a postcard so I could just slap one on and be done with it. Now I email friends and keep all their addresses on my Palm Pilot. Check for Travel Dangers The US government doesn't just meddle in overseas affairs, it also alerts travelers to dangers and uprisings in other countries. You might want to check conditions now and right before you leave. Travel Insurance Insurance Links Luggage Top Carry-On Luggage Packing Tips Cameras Before you buy a digital camera for travel Top Compact Digital Cameras for Travel Top Semi-pro Cameras for Travel Olympus D40 Review Oneof the best compact digitals I've come across. Cell Phone Rentals Cell Phone Rental Companies Purchase a Cell Phone Email Staying Connected Cybercafe Links Staying Connected Links Money/Currency Money Matters ATM Finder Travel Accessories Top Travel Accessories Clip-on Security Wallet (review) Voltage and Plugs European Electricity and the Connected Tourist Maps Michelin Maps (compare prices) It's easier to buy the maps over the web--distribution to many stores seems spotty at best, and many times they're unsorted, making finding what you want a miserable experience. Keeping in Touch The Travel Writer's Toolkit Travel Dangers Department of State Travel Warnings Last minute - Oops, Forgot the Passport. Help! Well, you can get one expedited, especially if you already have tickets. See our Passport Expediting Company links for more. Make Copies Now is the time to think about keeping back-ups of your travel documents. Make at least two photocopies of your itinerary, your passport information page (the one with your picture and passport number) and copies of your credit cards showing the cc numbers. Give one copy to your mother, or someone else you trust and can get a hold of any time of day or night. Keep a copy of your passport and credit card info with you but in a different place than the original items. Final Check The basic stuff you need to carry are these: Passport, tickets, car rental agreements, hotel reservation receipts, credit cards, medications (and prescriptions, if required), addresses/password information and an open mind with a sense of wonder. Check them twice. Then go have fun in Europe. Passport Problems Passport Expediting Companies Travel Dangers Department of State Travel Warnings Jump to: 6 Months 3-4 Months 6 Weeks - 2 Months 1 Month Last Minute From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! 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Disney Vacation Other Disney

MouseSavers.com - Working with a Travel Agent Great deals on all things Disney! Find out how to save on: Walt Disney World Disneyland Disney Cruise Line Transportation for Your Disney Vacation Other Disney Travel Savings Discount Disney Shopping Mall Live Disney Shows Disney Freebies Disneyland Resort Paris Disney Parks in Asia Disney's Vero Beach/Hilton Head Non-Disney Theme Parks & Attractions More information: About MouseSavers Frequently Asked Questions Trip Reports and Articles Links Testimonials Privacy Policy & Legal Stuff Contact Mary Working with a Travel Agent The amount of research necessary to plan all the details of a Disney vacation can be too time-consuming or even intimidating for some people. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the options, a great solution is to use the services of a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. Be sure to ask if the agent has completed the College of Disney Knowledge, a comprehensive course offered by Disney that covers Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line. How it Works Travel agents make their living from a small commission paid by Disney for the resort hotel rooms, theme park passes and packages they book. The agent is compensated by this commission for the time, effort and attention he or she provides to the client. For that reason, it's unfair to ask a travel agent to do a lot of research for you, and then book elsewhere. Likewise, a reputable travel agent will not take over the booking of a trip from another travel agent. What to Expect An agent who specializes in Disney travel should be able to provide you with accurate information, including pricing, for Disney resorts, theme park passes and packages. He or she will book your trip and seek out the best deals for you -- even rebooking your trip when better rates come up, if possible. Once you book with a travel agent, he or she becomes your single point of contact for all changes in your travel plans -- you cannot make changes or cancellations directly through Disney if you are working with a travel agent. For most people this feature is convenient, but if you prefer to control everything yourself, booking with a travel agent is not for you. Travel agents are generally geared toward long-term planning (1 month in advance or more). That's primarily because it can take 3-4 weeks for them to get the paperwork from Disney once they've made your reservations, and then they have to get that paperwork to you. If you're planning a last-minute trip, it's usually better just to do it yourself. My Personal Recommendation The travel agent I use personally, talk with all the time, and can recommend wholeheartedly is Sue Pisaturo , whose company is called Small World Vacations . She is a Disney Specialist and College of Disney Knowledge graduate. Small World Vacations is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, a special designation given by Disney to its top booking agencies. Sue has contributed to The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World . Here's how the process works. Small World Vacations uses a quotation system that helps them offer the best discounts available and also directs your request to the best agent for your needs. Y ou submit a request for a price quote through their web site. Based on your needs and your location, Sue partners you with a specific agent who will work with you right up through the time of your trip. (Sue is located in the Northeastern US, but she has agents around the US and works with clients around the world.) The agent will contact you by e-mail with your quotation and provide you with a toll-free number that allows you to reach her directly and discuss the details of your vacation. From that point on, your contact will be one-on-one with the agent and will be highly personalized. Sue's agents are extremely knowledgeable about Disney travel and wonderful to work with. They are very oriented toward saving you money and will constantly monitor your reservation to make sure you are getting the best available deal. They understand and use the various discount codes that may be available, and they know all the best tricks for maximizing your time and money when planning a Disney vacation. You will always receive helpful planning information and literature when you book with Small World Vacations . There is never any charge for their services. They often offer special gifts and incentives as well. To see Small World Vacations ' current Walt Disney World promotions, click here . To see Small World Vacations ' current Disney Cruise Line promotions, click here . The agents at Small World Vacations are genuinely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all things Disney, and I know they'll take great care of you. I have received dozens of "thank you" e-mails from readers who had a wonderful experience working with this agency. To get a vacation quote from Small World Vacations, click here ! Back to the home page Back to top Content of MouseSavers.com is © Mary Waring & MouseSavers 2001-2005. No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

Cheap Travel

cheap airfares, discount airfares Airline Tickets,Cheap Airline Tickets, Cheap Travel Compare many travel sites at once! Air Hotel Car From: To: Depart: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Return: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Adults: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Children: 0 1 2 3 4 5 Seniors: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 One Way Featured Deals: Earn 20,000 bonus miles* by CitiBank See Mamma Mia! in Las Vegas by MammaMia City (i.e: Los Angeles, CA) : State/Province: AK - Alaska AL - Alabama AR - Arkansas AZ - Arizona CA - California CO - Colorado CT - Connecticut DC - District of Columbia DE - Delaware FL - Florida GA - Georgia HI - Hawaii IA - Iowa ID - Idaho IL - Illinois IN - Indiana KS - Kansas KY - Kentucky LA - Louisiana MA - Massachusetts MD - Maryland ME - Maine MI - Michigan MN - Minnesota MO - Missouri MS - Mississippi MT - Montana NC - North Carolina ND - North Dakota NE - Nebraska NH - New Hampshire NJ - New Jersey NM - New Mexico NV - Nevada NY - New York OH - Ohio OK - Oklahoma OR - Oregon PA - Pennsylvania RI - Rhode Island SC - South Carolina SD - South Dakota TN - Tennessee TX - Texas UT - Utah VA - Virginia VT - Vermont WA - Washington WI - Wisconsin WV - West Virginia WY - Wyoming ------------- AB - Alberta BC - British Columbia MB - Manitoba NB - New Brunswick NF - Newfoundland NS - Nova Scotia NT - North West Territories ON - Ontario PE - Prince Edward Island QC - Quebec SK - Saskatchewan YT - Yukon Check-In: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Check-Out: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Adults: 1 2 3 4 Rooms: 1 2 3 4 Children: 0 2 2 3 4 Featured Deals: Need more than 5 rooms? by Groople Gamble Away in Vegas by Travelocity Pick-up City or Airport: Drop-off City or Airport: Pick-up: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2005 2006 Drop-Off: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2005 2006 Featured Deals: Save on Budget Rentals - $25.99/Weekend Day, $169/Week by Travelocity Travel Themes Sensational Skiing Deals by Orbitz Casino Deals by Travelocity Hawaii Vacations by Pleasant Holidays Lastminute by Priceline Sunny Getaways by Priceline Weekly Cruise Deals by 7BlueSeas Cruises Caribbean by CruiseValue Student Specials by CheapSeats -- Big Apple Visit the city that will never let you down. Exotic Cruises Looking for the perfect beach, and relaxation? Las Vegas Vegas baby! Need we say more? Hawaii If you need a time out, paradise is for you. Europe Hotels Enjoy culture in old Europe. Country Destination : • USA • Canada • Mexico • Italy • France • United Kingdom • Germany • Spain • Switzerland • Greece • Thailand • Hong Kong • Singapore • China • More... Travel Forum: • Airline Tickets • Hotels • Car Rentals • Vacations • Cruises • Knowledge Center • Dos and Donts • Itinerary Discussion • Travel Jokes • Travelgrove Discussion • More ... Travel Tools: • Airport Parking • Hostels • Backpacking • Travel Guides and More • Currency Converter • World Clock • Time Zones • Country Maps • Travel News • Travel Directory about Travelgrove Inc site map partner list advertising useful hints terms of use privacy policy contact feedback affiliates FAQ Navigation: home air search hotel search car search cruise search package search travel specials travel forum travel directory Travelgrove Inc is not responsible for content on external Web sites. ©2004 Travelgrove, Inc. All rights reserved. cheap airfares, discount airfares, cheap travel

Argentina Travel Guide @

Argentina Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org Car Hire Cruises Flights Hotels Tours Vacations About Travel Notes™ Destinations Budget Travel Feedback Search Travel Forums Travel Writers Africa Asia Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America Oceania Argentina Argentina Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org Argentina Business , Argentina Cities , Argentina Culture , Argentina Hotels , Argentina News , Argentina Regions , Argentina Skiing , Argentina Tourism , Argentina Tours , Argentine Republic , Bariloche , Buenos Aires , Cheap Hotels and Hostels in Argentina , Map of Argentina , Patagonia . Round The World Flights - Free TravelNotes e-mail Flag of Argentina The Argentine Republic is the second largest country in South America, after Brazil . Local Currency Convert your currency into Argentine pesos. Buy a Map of Argentina Countries neighbouring Argentina are: Chile , Bolivia , Paraguay , Brazil and Uruguay . National Anthem of Argentina. Food Travel Fiction Health Kids Bios Humor Mags Software Gifts Tech Business Other Your Ad Here Travel Notes Mailing List News Headlines World News Directory of newspapers and news sources from around the world. Argentina News : Catch up on the news from Argentina. Hotel City Search : Argentine Republic Somewhat triangular in shape, Argentina's apex is at the very south of the American continent, with Punta Dungeness the south-eastern extremity of the South American mainland. Crossing the lakes and mountain passes of the southern Andes with a condor flying overhead beats looking up at hang-gliders in the Alps. About Argentina : An interesting blend of information about Argentina: maps, climate, postcards, wallpapers, emblems, history, economy, news, people, tango and destinations. Insight Guide to Argentina : Get a real insight into Argentina with quality articles from journalists and candid photography from masters of the art. Argentina Tourism Enter Argentina : Getting to Argentina, and other information for tourists. Around Argentina Argentina Business : Information about doing business in Argentina, telephone numbers, yellow pages and Argentine Embassies. Argentina Cities : The major cities in Argentina. Skiing in Argentina : The main ski resorts in Argentina. Latin America Travel Forum : From Anguilla to Venezuela, sailing in the Caribbean to trekking in the Andes, Latin America is a world of wonderful contrasts. Join us in the travel forums if you have a question about Latin America or would like to share your experiences about travelling or living in Latin America and The Caribbean. The Internet TravelNotes.org Argentina Travel Guide Flight Tickets : Save money on Round The World flight tickets. Travel News : Get the inside scoop with the latest travel features and tips. Past Articles . Airlines & Airports : This travel article points you to airlines and the three letter airport codes with links to their websites. Cyber Cafes : The Internet Caf Guide. Weather Outlook Car Hire Cruises Flights Hostels Tours Vacations Destinations Budget Travel Feedback Meta-Travel Travel Forums Travel Writers Africa Asia Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America Oceania Travel Directory : Latin America : Argentina Travel Guide -- Submit to Travel Notes | Advertise on TravelNotes.org | Favourite Destinations | Magun'sCompass | Travel Articles | Writers | | Airlines | Airports | Car Hire | Cruises | Flights | Hotels | Online Reservations | Vacation Rentals | | Casinos | Olympics | World Cup | General Disclaimer | Meta-Travel | Search Resources | | TravelNotes is a Trademark of TravelNotes.org | Travel Notes Blog | Add URL | Add to Favorites The URL for this page is: http://www.travelnotes.org/LatinAmerica/argentina.htm

Central America Travel

Central America : Travel Tips : International Travel : Travelocity Customer Care | My Stuff Home Travel Info Center Flight Status >Destination Guides Travelocity Business About Travelocity Flights Search Flights Top Deals Web Fares Low Fare Alert Last Minute Packages Hotels Search Hotels Top Deals Trip Ideas Popular Cities Cars/Rail Search Cars Search Rail Top Deals About Neighborhood Search Popular Car Destinations Vacation Packages Search Vacations Top Deals Disney Vacations Trip Ideas Cruises Search Cruises Search by Destination Search by Cruise Line Top Deals Ship Finder Last Minute Packages Search Deals Top Deals This Weekend Next Weekend Need Ideas? Activities Activities by Destination Guides & Advice : Traveler Advice : Tips & Advice Home : International Travel Central America Jungles, volcanoes, dazzling wildlife, and more await you in Central America--but so do several health risks. Staying healthy can make or break any trip, so read on to get some preparatory information about the regions health challenges. Enjoying your trip to its fullest always involves some amount of preparation and knowledge, so to make your planning easier weve put together some basic information outlining the general risks you might face in Central America. Consult the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up-to-date information on current health risks, and ask your physician about the best courses of vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis for the area youre visiting. Food and Water: Stick with bottled or purified water, and only eat cooked vegetables and peeled fruit, as well as well-cooked meat and seafood--these simple rules can easily be the key to staying healthy during your vacation in Central America. Except in the most established and hygienic of restaurants, ceviche, a regional specialty of raw seafood salad, should be avoided, especially if it has any shellfish in it. Milk is not pasteurized in Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, so avoid all dairy products. If youre really craving some milk, mix powdered or tinned milk with purified water as a safe alternative. The Elements: When youre in the tropics, youre in prime sunshine territory. Clearly this is a plus for all us sun-worshipping folk, but its important to protect yourself from damaging UV rays. Apply lots of sunscreen throughout the day, try to limit your exposure to the sun when you can, and wear protective clothing. Also, be sure to drink lots of water to stave off dehydration. Drink up even when youre not thirsty, and especially if youre engaging in outdoors activities. Combined with the intensity of the sun, even mild dehydration can really put an unpleasant tinge on your experience. Altitude Sickness: If youre planning on doing some trekking in the mountains or on volcanoes, be prepared for some possible bouts of altitude sickness--something that cannot be prevented, but can definitely be alleviated quite easily. For more information, read our How to Avoid Altitude Sickness tip. Health Risks: Costa Rica and Panama generally present few risks (other than those pertaining to food and water) if you stick to the big cities, beaches, and main tourist spots. However, these countries rural areas--as well as other surrounding countries--contain maladies that you should know about. Malaria is a year-round risk in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama--with the exception of urban areas. If you plan on venturing outside of the cities, consult your doctor several months before your departure to determine the best course of malaria medication for you. Dengue fever has been reported in the above countries, so arm yourself against mosquitoes with strong insect repellent. Mosquitoes are easily attracted to moisture--mosquito nets are advised if youre staying in coastal areas. For more information on dealing with insects, read our Creepy, Crawly Critters tip. Rabies is widespread throughout Central America, so abstain from provoking stray dogs or other animals in the wild. If you get bitten, seek medical help immediately. Fluke illnesses (from bacteria transmitted in food), Chagas disease, leptospirosis, and lesihmaniasis have been reported in rural foci throughout the region. Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) occurs in some freshwater sources, so avoid swimming and paddling in freshwater whenever possible (for more information on this matter, read our Take Me to the River tip). Immunization Suggestions and Requirements: The following information was culled from reputable sources, such as CDC and WHO and reflects countries currently featured on Travelocity.com. Belize Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas Costa Rica Typhoid, polio, cholera (although chances of contracting the latter are very slight) Guatemala Cholera, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas Honduras Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas Panama Hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside of urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported     International Travel Tips & Advice Information on the Euro Africa Asia Central America Caribbean Australia/South Pacific South America Middle East Europe North America Embassies and Consulates--A Little Piece of the United States Abroad Choosing the Right Gift for Business Associates in Japan Getting Through Customs Expediting Your Passport Application Process Handling Cash When Traveling Overseas '+' Means Some Taxes & Fees Additional | About Travelocity | Security Guarantee | Affiliate Program | Jobs | Site Map Partners and International Sites: IgoUgo | lastminute.com | Odysia.fr | ShowTickets.com | Site59 | Travelchannel.de | Travelocity Canada Travelocity Denmark | Travelocity Norway | Travelocity Sweden | Travelocity United Kingdom | World Choice Travel | ZUJI © 1996-2005 Travelocity.com LP. 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