Common-sense advice for Canadians travelling abroad

The real excitement of travel comes from discovering the uniqueness of a destination. Many feel that "the beauty of travel lies not in seeing new places but in seeing with new eyes." With this in mind, before leaving it's prudent to become familiar with the local customs, politics, language, currency, and lay of the land. A little pre-planning, especially for those venturing to exotic destinations, goes a long way to ensure you dodge the typical tourist pitfalls and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

A traveller's essential provisions
Even the best plans can be undone by the sudden onset of an illness. Frequent health problems that beset travellers include motion sickness, sun or heat stroke, dehydration, allergies, digestive problems and illness caused by food or water contamination. Tuck a basic first aid kit into your suitcase for quick solutions for these conditions. Essentials include all prescription medications, sunscreen, aloe vera, Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, insect repellent, headache medication, a fibre supplement, digestive aids and motion sickness pills. Your family doctor can advise you on what other items to include.

Even the best first aid kit can't handle a medical emergency. To save thousands of dollars in hospital bills, always purchase out-of-the-country medical insurance. Choose a policy with a 24-hour helpline and review it for special features such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and evacuation insurance.

Healthy living on the road
For some, the thrill of travel comes from experimenting with local foods. Always ensure your foods are fully cooked. If possible, stay away from raw vegetables and salads. Make sure fruits are washed and peeled. Do not drink water at a hotel or restaurant unless it has been boiled and never drink tap water. To avoid dehydration, consume two to three litres of liquid daily, primarily quality bottled water.

Become a travel pack rat
Travel enthusiasts know that having copies of their passport, visa and American Express™ Travellers Cheque information on hand is helpful if these items are lost or stolen. Other necessary items include updated photographs of your children, copies of your credit card numbers and the address and phone number of the Canadian Embassy in the area. Try to carry very little cash. Nowadays, travellers can use cash machines or credit cards, but the most convenient money solution is to use American Express™ Travellers Cheques. For the best exchange rate, always cash Travellers Cheques at your hotel, a reputable bank or the airport.

Another great tool to help you stay connected to home is an e-mail address that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. American Express offers AmExMail, a complementary e-mail service that is perfect for travellers. Simply go to www.amexmail.com and register for your free e-mail address before you leave on your trip. Give your AmexMail address, along with a copy of your travel itinerary, to a friend at home.

Respect your host country
Be an informed traveller. Invest in a reliable travel guide and familiarize yourself with the language, customs, health considerations and laws of the land. Read newspapers or surf the web for particulars pertaining to your destination. Determine the current political climate as well as the cultural expectations of tourists. A major consideration is proper attire and conduct, especially for entry into tourist attractions such as museums and religious sites.

Plan for peace of mind
Some excellent online resources include www.medicineplanet.com, www.cdc.gov/travel, www.travel-library.com and www.tripprep.com. These sites are jam-packed with numerous health and safety articles as well as search engines for various regional illnesses. The Department of Foreign Affairs offers travel information and advisory reports at voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm or by phone at 1.800.267.6788.

Your American Express™ Travel Services counsellor can provide useful information about your destination and direct you to relevant resources. Counsellors will also prepare an International Travel Information Service (ITIS) report, personalized for each trip with data about the destination and its climate, currency and health advisories. In addition, American Express Travel Services offers over 1,700* locations in 130 countries to help with emergencies or travel details.

For more information, call 1.888.414.TRIP to contact your local American Express Travel Services office. Or, find a complete office listing on this page or on our Web site at www.americanexpress.ca.

Peter Drutz is Vice President and General Manager
Travel Service Network, Amex Canada Inc.

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