Useful Tips for Travelers
Here are some useful tips and information we thought would be very helpful when traveling to Domestic and International Destinations. If you need more information or if you have a tip you'd like to add, please contact the Travel Advisor found on the upper left side of each country page.

Be sure to check our "Links" section which provides great links for Visa Information, Travel Advisories, Driving in Europe (maps and directions), Vaccination Requirements and more.

Chamomile for Jitters - Nervous passengers might consider taking a few chamomile tea bags for the journey. They are tiny, flat, lightweight, and a double strength brew acts as a natural sedative. Unlike various travel tablets available, chamomile will enable you to relax without leaving you heavy headed and drooping all over your neighbor. Just ask the flight attendant for the hot water when tea and coffee is offered.

What kind of credentials and driving record do I need if I am renting from a foreign country?
Most car rental agencies have their own individual requirements for each country.
In the U.S. and Canada, drivers must present a major credit card and valid driver's license. Both must be in the driver's name. Some non-U.S. locations require an international driver's license. When booking online, see the terms and conditions on your confirmation page or e-mail for information on your specific pick-up location. If you experience problems, I suggest that you contact the car rental agency via their customer service email on their website with questions regarding your specific information.

Here are a few money tips that may help you when traveling to a foreign country or to the USA. 

1) Traveler's Checks are not a good idea anymore. They are totally useless for paying for most meals, hotels, taxis, shopping or anything else. In smaller towns, people may not even know what Traveler’s Checks are. If you cash them in at a bank or exchange, you are charged an extra fee and received a lower exchange rate. Times have changed. Traveler’s Checks are just out-dated. 

2) Don’t change your money in the USA before traveling abroad. Very few US banks offer a favorable exchange, you won’t find many US Exchange Offices and smaller town banks can’t even exchange currency. You will almost always get a better rate in a foreign bank or Exchange Office. Try to avoid changing money in any airport or in your hotel – it’s the most expensive place. Take some small US bills ($5s and $10s) and when you arrive pay the cab driver and tip in US dollars until you can get to a competitive exchange outlet. 

3) Your best option for obtaining money is the ATM. In major cities and many small towns it's now pretty easy to find ATM machines that access the accounts of US banks on the major ATM networks. The exchange rates are good. So keep the cash in your checking account and replenish your supply from there. Keep in mind that there will be a daily limit that may be lower than it is in the US -and there will be a fee – the good news is that it is usually quite low - but you may want to shop around because ATMs fees vary drastically.

4) Credit card cash advances are easier in some countries than others. However, your credit card company usually charges a ridiculous interest rate for cash advances, so it is best to use your credit card for your purchases and hotel charges only.

5) Check Exchange rates and get an “FX Cheat Sheet” that allows you to create and print a currency converter table before you take your next trip! Visit http://www.oanda.com. The “FX Cheat Sheet” can be found on the left side of the home page under “Travelers”

The goal of this section is to let you how to pack everything you need for vacation in one carry-on bag.
Smart travelers plan to wash clothes during the trip. Make sure that your clothing is fast drying – polyesters and nylons are perfect. Bring little packets of Woolite or other hand-wash detergent so you can wash in the sink of your hotel.

Plan to take 3 separate outfits (including undergarments). All clothing should be based on one color scheme so you can mix and match. For example one black shorts, black skirt, black pants can go with 3 different tops – and you can mix and match to make up to 9 different outfits! Just bring some costume jewelry to formalize or brighten things up. Shoes? One pair of walking/hiking shoes and one black dress shoe. It really works! I traveled for 3 weeks with just the items I listed above and went from formal dinners in Istanbul to hikes though the Taurus Mountains.

Keep a cosmetic bag packed to go. If something is running low, leave a note in it to replenish the supplies upon your return. Also, on an index card list everything you need for a trip, and keep it handy for each trip. That way, you won't find yourself stranded in Podunk without underwear. You don't have to put clothes in plastic dry cleaner bags, just place the bags between clothes to save on wrinkles.

Pack your extra pair of shoes in a large zip-lock bag. Pack your shampoo and other spillable items in a zip-lock bag too. Then pack 12 extra zip lock bags in various sizes to put soiled clothes, not-so-dry towels, or purchases in, as you move from one locale to another. This helps keep other things clean and dry and also things pack tighter and fit easier; when put in zip-locks you can squeeze the air out.

When making your trip arrangements - be sure to check out our "Park, Sights and Links" and "TIPS" sections found on our city pages. We are adding Do-It-Yourself Tours that will give you up to 5 days of great things to do during your vacation. It's a free travel guide - print it out and take it with you! Don't leave home without reading this info.

When traveling in a foreign country, always carry with you a business card or matches from your hotel. You can easily show it to taxi drivers - it solves the language barrier. If traveling with children, make sure each child has one in case they get lost (even if you're not in a foreign country).

Recreational activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking and bicycling place physical demands on your body. These demands increase dramatically at high altitude.
What is High Altitude? Broadly interpreted high altitude is any place above 5,280 feet (1,609km). Durango Mountain Resort's base elevation is 8,793 feet, with the summit elevation at 10,822 feet.
Effects of High Altitude - At high altitudes, everyone is affected to some degree. The effects vary among individuals and a variety of symptoms are seen. Two main differences between the high altitude environment and sea level are decreased oxygen density and decreased humidity, or moisture content in the air. A sudden change in environment from sea level to high altitude can produce nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, restlessness, shortness of breath, and air hunger. Palpitations or fast heart beat, headache, nasal congestion, coughing, increased flatulence or 'gas', easy fatigue and intolerance to exertion also may be experienced.
What to do: DRINK PLENTY OF WATER! Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours, eat lightly, get plenty of rest, avoid over-exertion before your body can adapt to the lower oxygen and dryness.
Did you know? About three-quarters of the nations land above 10,000 feet is in Colorado. Estimates place more than half of Colorado above 5,280 feet. A good rule of thumb: Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g. a 200-pound person should drink about 100 ounces of liquid). Ever on overcast days you can get sunburn! Most importantly, have fun!

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