Q. Do I really need to speak the language?
A. No. But it would help to speak a few words of the native language. This will give you the courage to strike out on your own for a few hours, perhaps taking a walk around your hotel neighborhood.

Q.Can I use my hair dryer?
A. Americans traveling outside the United States must consider the power supply voltages of their destination countries. In addition, the wall socket plug configuration is different in other parts of the world. For each electrical appliance you take on your trip, you must accommodate the change in voltage and the change in plug configuration by buying an adaptor.

Q. Should I get foreign currency before I leave the US?
A. Before leaving you should consider getting some foreign currency to carry with you on the trip. $100/person is a round number, however if you plan to take expensive taxis to your hotel, are traveling with a large group or family, or otherwise incur a great deal of expense upon arrival, you will need more, of course. You should also take some US greenbacks for emergencies. Make sure that every adult in your group has their own supply of local currency.

If you have local currency cash with you on arrival you can deal with situations such as:

• Your greeter is not there and you need to make phone calls or take a taxi



• You want to buy a bottle of water, a sandwich or other snack



• Your Palm Pilot battery dies on the airplane and you can get a quick replacement in the airport shop



• Your watchstrap breaks on the airplane

• ATM



• Credit Card



• Bank



• Stand-alone change office (Bureaux de Change, Wechsel)



• Hotel Front Desk

Q.What types of cards can I use with an ATM Machine?
A. Throughout Europe, cash machines (ATMs) are the standard way for travelers to get local currency. European ATMs work like your hometown machine and always have English-language instructions.

• An ATM card is issued by your bank and draws money directly out of your bank account. It does not have a credit-card company logo (such as Visa or MasterCard), which makes it less widely accepted. Most ATM cards have a logo on the back for either Plus (affiliated with Visa) or Cirrus (affiliated with MasterCard). You'll have to look for an ATM with a corresponding logo to be sure it'll work.



• A debit card (sometimes called a "check card") works the same way (it's issued by your bank, and draws cash from your bank account). However, it's more versatile because it has a credit-card logo (such as Visa or MasterCard), which means it can also be used for making purchases. This is the best option for getting cash in Europe. In a pinch, debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo can be used for over-the-counter cash advances (with a fee) at banks that accept those credit cards. Note that you can also buy prepaid debit cards.



• A credit card does not draw money from an account; rather, you are billed at the end of each month for any purchases or withdrawals you've made with it. Most credit cards work in ATMs (provided you know the PIN code) — but you're technically getting a cash advance, which is expensive. The second you pull your cash out of the ATM, you're immediately into the high-interest category with your new credit-card debt. If you want to use your credit card for ATM transactions without incurring this interest expense, you can pre-pay the account.

Q. Do I need to notify my credit card company before you travel?
A.It is a good idea. Otherwise, your credit card company might put a hold on your card due to "unusual" activity---like a charge for a restaurant in Krakow. By calling ahead, the company may append a memo to your account. Hopefully your call will prevent a needless interruption of your shopping spree along Paris's Avenue Montaigne.

Q. What do I need to know if I plan on driving a car in a foreign country?

• If you plan on driving a car, you’ll need to check out the local driving regulations.



• You might need to obtain an international driver’s license or need special insurance.



• If you are renting a car, check with the rental company to make sure you’ll meet the local requirements and be able to pick up the car. Some countries’ car rental companies have upper as well as lower age requirements.



• You may have to pay a permit fee that allows you to drive on their roads.



• Road signage may be in unfamiliar languages and the colors and shapes of those signs may be different than those in the United States.



• The direction of the lanes may be opposite of those in the United States.



• Gasoline is usually considerably more expensive and is often sold by the liter, 3.78 liters=1 gallon.



• Road conditions can be considerably more dangerous than those in the United States.



• Some countries with modern highways allow much higher speeds than the law allows in the United States. Therefore, it is especially important to stay out of the fast lane, unless you are passing or willing to travel at these high rates of speed.

Q. Do I need an international drivers license ?
A. If you plan on renting a car it is a good idea. Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license. However, most countries accept an international driver's permit. If you intend to drive overseas, check with the embassy or consulate of the countries where you will visit to learn about requirements for driver's license, road permits, and auto insurance. If possible, obtain road maps of the countries that you plan to visit before you go. For more information visit the U.S. Department of State.

Please Note: Beware of internet scams. The U.S. Department of State has authorized two organizations to issue international driving permits to those who hold valid U.S. driver's licenses: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

Q. Should I even attempt driving in a country where they drive on the left?
A. Anyone who is used to right side of the road driving will be understandably nervous about driving on the left side of the road. Many people vacation in places like the UK, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Thailand and Singapore and have a great time without ever getting behind the wheel of a car. In some places you may find that either hiring a car and a driver or relying on public transport might be the best solution. However, you may decide that your trip is best accomplished with you behind the wheel of a car. If you feel confident about your own driving skills, and have positive experience driving in the US, then you will probably be OK.

If you still have questions, please feel free to contact your CI Travel Consultant.