A – Address peel and stick labels for all your family and friends before you go. Then stick to postcards along the way and you'll come home looking good.
B – Bottled water is a must – don't drink anything else.
C – Cookbooks from your travels are always a great souvenir. Cook a dish from one when you have friends over to see your video and pictures
D – Digital cameras save the day; their small and you never run out of film
E – Expect excitement; go with anticipation, not trepidation
F – Food is fun, try something you've never eaten before like zebra pate or Australian wine
G – Give generous tips, especially in poor countries, you'll be so glad you did
H – Hang out with the locals. Get to know a new person on your trip and get a photo with them
I – Inform someone at home of your itinerary
J – Journal every day. Can you remember now what you did last week?
K – Kids love it when you have packed little surprises to open along the way
L – Learn something: Take a pasta making course in Italy, Scuba diving in Argentina or Belly dancing in Bagdad (just kidding)!
N – Note the local artisans and buy something authentic
O – One substantial souvenir is better than a lot of small things. Then ship it home to lighten your luggage
P – Postcards will rescue you when your photography fails. You can never have too many
Q – Questions help you get the most out of all you see and experience.
R – Read before you leave. Read lots of books about your destination. Find out who the local best sellers are, and read one of their books.
S – Scrapbook within the first week of getting home
T – Travel
as light as humanly possible. Dragging luggage is no fun.
U – Unpack as soon as you get home.
V – Vaccinations and certain medications are necessary in some countries – be sure to check with the World Health Organization about what you need.
W – Whining never fixes anything – buck up and deal with the differences
X – exchange your currency at the airport or a bank and be sure you understand the value of your money
Y – You are the one who will make or break your adventure. Plan to be positive
Z – Zero in on one or two experiences and squeeze the most out of them. Adventure overload will leave you confused.
