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So, you want to see the world after reading about my adventures in Europe. How does one go about seeing all those fascinating and exotic spots? First, assuming you are an American citizen, for travel outside the U.S., you will need a passport,
(and very soon, even for travel to Canada and Mexico). The proper application
can be obtained from a Federal District Court, or from many post offices and
county court clerks. You will have to have several regulation-size photos
taken - every city of any size has places that take these - and you need a birth
certificate. As of March 8, 2005, a security surcharge has been added, and
the fees for obtaining a first-time passport are as
follows: As of April, 2007, the fees are still as shown above. You should receive the passport by mail within a few weeks after you send in your application and photos. Certain countries require visas for admission, in addition to a passport. (I had to secure a visa from the Russian Consulate in D.C. before I could travel to that country.) Basically, there are three ways to travel. The best way is having friends or family in another country, people who can invite you to visit them. If you stay with a family abroad, you will learn a lot about local customs and people, and you will probably have an experience worth talking about for years to come. The same is true if you take the second route. Many American youth travel the world in groups, backpacking and biking from one place to another. But that's probably not for most of the folks who are reading this. So, for me, and probably for you, the guided tour is the way to go, especially of you haven't been abroad before. Professional tour operators have an amazing variety of experiences to offer, from short (one week to ten day) introductions to one or more countries, to month-long grand tours that really give you a handle on a foreign area. Tours can be arranged for destinations in Europe, Asia, South America, and other parts of the world. The nice thing about these guided tours is that most everything is planned and handled by professionals who know the area you are visiting. The typical tour offers prepaid airfare, hotels, transportation on the tour route, and some meals. Baggage handling and tips for prepaid meals are also covered. Optional excursions are often offered to see local attractions. An experienced tour director accompanies the group. How do you sign up for a tour? See a local travel agency! Tours are available in different price ranges. Budget tours generally use lesser-grade hotels located further from the center of town, and the busses they use may not be as deluxe. There are high-price tours that offer luxury travel and accommodations for those who can afford them. I take the middle ground tour. Not budget, but not the most expensive. I have, so far, been pleased with most of the accommodations I had, and the overall value the tour offered So, the tour offers the least hassle for the traveler who just wants to "see" a foreign locale, without needing to know the language, the customs, or how to get around. But there is a downside. You don't really get to know the people who live there. You are, in a sense, insulated from the locals. You travel the standard tourist routes, see the standard tourist attractions, and eat mostly tourist-oriented food in establishments that cater to tour groups. Of course, if you like, there is enough free time at each major city you visit to strike out on your own and ride the subways or city busses, and try local restaurants. Some of the folks I traveled with did just that. They turned down the optional extra-cost activities that were offered, and spent that time doing their own thing. Typically, late afternoons and evenings are free, if you turn down whatever optional stuff the tour guide offers. If you do strike out on your own, don't worry too much about getting lost in a strange city. Many locals speak English, and will be happy to get you back on course, and there are always taxis to get you back to your hotel. |