If you have never traveled internationally, it can be intimidating to think about traveling to another country. Trying to think about what you’ll need to get out of, and back into, the United States; researching where you would like to travel and where you should stay; and just figuring out how to get from here to there can all be overwhelming. To try and help make your international travel easier, here are 6 tips to help make your trip a success.
 
1. Get Your Passport Early – In general, it takes 6-8 weeks to get your passport, or 2-3 weeks with expedited service. But those are rules of thumb provided by the Department of State and are, by no means, a guarantee. Instead, try to order your passport at least 3 months in advance, just in case there is a delay in processing. Also be careful if you have a passport that is going to expire soon. Some countries will not let you enter if your passport is set to expire in less than 6 months. So if your passport is expiring shortly after your trip, you may want to renew it before you go, rather than after.
 
2. Bring Copies of Reservations – Having a copy of a reservation for hotels, airfare, and events can save you time, money, and ensure you have a place to stay. Do not assume that the hotel or airline will have your confirmation information, as there are many cases of glitches. And unlike being at home where you can make a phone call or pull up an email to get your information, you may find yourself in a situation where you can’t access the information you need. Keeping a detailed list of confirmation numbers and details can save your trip.
 
3. Bring Cash – In the local currency. You’ll also want to find out from your bank if you can use ATMs where you are going, and what the cost will be to convert currency when there. You don’t want to walk around with huge sums of cash, but in the event your credit cards don’t work, or you need to buy something where credit isn’t accepted, that local currency cash will be important.
 
4. Travel Credit Card – Call your credit card companies to see if any offer no foreign transaction fees. For most credit cards, you will pay 2-5% in fees when you use your card internationally. If you are traveling for a few weeks, those fees can really add up.
 
5. Leave Your Itinerary with a Friend – Make sure someone at home knows where you will be at all times. In the case of an emergency, it will be easier to get help, and in the event of an emergency at home, they can get in touch with you.
 
6. Call your Cell Phone Provider – Every provider has different policies for international travel, so make sure you understand what you can and cannot do, and what it will cost. For most, sticking with WiFi works well, but make sure nothing unexpected will happen from that. And if you absolutely need to be able to make calls, make sure your phone can make calls internationally.
 
By following these tips, you will find planning your international trip will be much easier, and your trip will be much less stressful. Good luck, and enjoy the travels.

When people think of the Caribbean, they usually think of summer. The beach, the sun, and the summer all go together perfectly. But the summer can often be the most expensive time to travel to the Caribbean, especially by cruise, and can also be too hot for many, making the trip less pleasant than expected. Hurricane season also runs from June through November, meaning your cruise could be severely impacted at the last moment. Instead, look to these months for the best weather-to-price ratios.
​
 January – Unlike most of North America, the Caribbean stays warm year round. So escaping the snow and cold to go to paradise can be a very welcome escape. And because most people don’t think to cruise at this time, you will find some of the lowest prices of the year in January.

 April – Excluding spring break and Easter, April can be a great time to cruise. Cruise lines often see decreased bookings, which means the boats are less busy, the islands are less crowded, and the costs are lower. And for those who feel strange cruising in the winter, April can be the perfect compromise.

May – Another month where the weather is perfect, the fares are low, and you avoid hurricane season. May can also be a great time to find last minute deals on ships that have vacancies, which can help you save hundreds of dollars per person.
​
 December – Aside from the time from Christmas to New Year’s, December is one of the cheapest months to cruise. Many families do not want to take their kids out of school right before a major vacation (winter recess), and many others don’t realize just how nice the Caribbean is in December. Sail in the first few weeks of the month to get great weather, great prices, and ships that are not as crowded. Ultimately, the best month to cruise is the one that works for you and your family. But if you have some flexibility, try one of these months and you will likely find that the experience was better than you ever could have imagined.

I would like to thank Randal McCoy from Randal McCoy Insurance for contributing this article, he's traveled to many places and gives remarkable insight to where to go, do's and don't and other valuable tips. We hope he will continue to share articles with us in the near future, thanks again Randy, we appreciate the time you took to write this.

​For most people, international travel means heading to Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean. But our neighbor to the north, Canada, is an incredibly scenic nation with amazing history and charm. It can also be cheaper to travel to destinations in Canada, as you can drive there. And if you live in certain states, you can even travel there with just a driver’s license. If you’ve never been to Canada, here are 5 great destinations to look into.
 
1. Toronto – This city in Ontario is a smaller, cleaner, more modern New York City, complete with cultural pockets, mass transit, and a near endless supply of things to do. Toronto is known for its cultural diversity; towering skyscrapers; and PATH, the largest underground shopping mall in the world. If you like big cities like New York or Chicago, Toronto will be a great experience.
 
2. Vancouver – Another large, bustling city, Vancouver is in the British Columbia, just north of the border with Washington State. It offers both beaches and mountains around it, making the scenery stunning. It also affords you with ample opportunities for excursions outside of the city.
 
3. Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls has both an American side, in Niagara, New York and a Canadian side, in Ontario. The American side is, perhaps, easier to get to in that it is in the United States, but the Canadian half is known for better views, and a better experience. After seeing the Horseshoe Falls, as it is known, you can walk around the restaurants, hotels, and observation towers that surround them. Niagara Falls should be on everyone’s bucket list.
 
4. Whistler – Located in the mountains of British Columbia, Whistler is home to the largest alpine ski destination in North America. If skiing, snowboarding, or other winter activities are your thing, there is nowhere better than Whistler. Whistler covers two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, and features an incredible gondola which transports you from one to the next, giving you great views of the towns below.
 
5. Halifax – Rich in history and scenery, the capital of Nova Scotia has it all. Where cities like Vancouver are extremely young and lacking in history, Halifax has a history unlike anywhere else in North America, including helping in the rescue efforts of the Titanic. And when you’ve had enough history, you can always find a street festival, live performance, or show to see. Outside of Halifax, the rest of Nova Scotia is very rural, creating many great opportunities to see the countryside.
 
No matter where you decide to look, looking in Canada is a great way to see the world without breaking the bank. 

I would like to thank Stephanie which specializes in writing such a beautiful article on places to visit in Canada. She has been many different places and when ask to share a few thoughts put together a wonderful post. Thank you again!

​When most people think of packing for vacation, they think of piling as many articles of clothing into an oversized suitcase as they can, then stuffing as many items into a carry on as possible, figuring they can sort it all out when they reach their final destination. Some may go the extra step to organize the bags by outfits or types of clothing, but generally the expectation is to take care of it when you get where you are going. Unfortunately, if you are going on a trip that involves multiple stops, that can lead to several problems along the way. If you are going on such a trip, here are some things to consider.
 
Bring Only a Carry-On
 
Lugging around a big, heavy suitcase is a nuisance. But if it’s simply from one destination to another, then back home, it’s not too big of an issue. If, however, you will be moving around every few days, that large suitcase can really impact your vacation. To help make things easier, consolidate to a carry-on only. Most people assume when packing for multiple destinations that they need to pack more. But if you are going to different destinations, you can recycle your outfits. Spending a few dollars on cleaning your clothes will be worth every penny when you don’t have that cumbersome suitcase following you around.
 
Plan Your Outfits
 
Unlike packing for a single destination trip, you need to be extremely careful about what you bring and how it will be worn. Bring clothes which you can mix-and-match – this will make it feel like you are not wearing the same thing every few days, and will allow you to plan the outfits based upon where you are and what you are doing. A shirt that works well with shorts for an outing during the day may work well with dressier pants a few nights later for something more formal. Make sure you know what you will wear every day and to every function on your vacation.

                                                                                                                                                                   video by: Travelrunplay

​Know the Climate
 
If your trip involves different climates or environments, be sure to pack appropriately for them all. If your first leg is at the beach, your second leg is in a major city, and your third leg brings you to a ski resort in the mountains, you need to be sure your outfits are appropriate for all three climates. Similarly, if you are visiting family for a week and will be going to formal functions, then spending a week on the beach, be sure you have clothes that can work in both settings. This is easily accomplished by bringing multi-purpose clothes.
 
Accessories Help
 
For men, this can be watches, sunglasses, flip flops, or boat shoes. For women, this can be bags, jewelry, sunglasses, and shoes. Changing from flip flops to heels or adding a dressy watch can completely transform an outfit but takes up very little real estate in your bag. Packing the right accessories can make or break a vacation with multiple stops.
 
No matter what your destinations or how long you are spending on vacation, by packing smart, you can have everything you need and avoid carting around that burdensome piece of luggage.

​When most people think of packing for vacation, they think of piling as many articles of clothing into an oversized suitcase as they can, then stuffing as many items into a carry on as possible, figuring they can sort it all out when they reach their final destination. Some may go the extra step to organize the bags by outfits or types of clothing, but generally the expectation is to take care of it when you get where you are going. Unfortunately, if you are going on a trip that involves multiple stops, that can lead to several problems along the way. If you are going on such a trip, here are some things to consider.
 
Bring Only a Carry-On
 
Lugging around a big, heavy suitcase is a nuisance. But if it’s simply from one destination to another, then back home, it’s not too big of an issue. If, however, you will be moving around every few days, that large suitcase can really impact your vacation. To help make things easier, consolidate to a carry-on only. Most people assume when packing for multiple destinations that they need to pack more. But if you are going to different destinations, you can recycle your outfits. Spending a few dollars on cleaning your clothes will be worth every penny when you don’t have that cumbersome suitcase following you around.
 
Plan Your Outfits
 
Unlike packing for a single destination trip, you need to be extremely careful about what you bring and how it will be worn. Bring clothes which you can mix-and-match – this will make it feel like you are not wearing the same thing every few days, and will allow you to plan the outfits based upon where you are and what you are doing. A shirt that works well with shorts for an outing during the day may work well with dressier pants a few nights later for something more formal. Make sure you know what you will wear every day and to every function on your vacation.
 
Know the Climate
 
If your trip involves different climates or environments, be sure to pack appropriately for them all. If your first leg is at the beach, your second leg is in a major city, and your third leg brings you to a ski resort in the mountains, you need to be sure your outfits are appropriate for all three climates. Similarly, if you are visiting family for a week and will be going to formal functions, then spending a week on the beach, be sure you have clothes that can work in both settings. This is easily accomplished by bringing multi-purpose clothes.
 
Accessories Help
 
For men, this can be watches, sunglasses, flip flops, or boat shoes. For women, this can be bags, jewelry, sunglasses, and shoes. Changing from flip flops to heels or adding a dressy watch can completely transform an outfit but takes up very little real estate in your bag. Packing the right accessories can make or break a vacation with multiple stops.
 
No matter what your destinations or how long you are spending on vacation, by packing smart, I've found some great deals on all sorts of accessories at Jeff's General Store that can help you out and easy to pack so you can avoid carting around that burdensome piece of luggage.

​Most people don’t associate Easter with vacation travel. Many schools, however, close around Easter. Unfortunately, the climate can be unpredictable in much of the United States, which is part of the reason why we don’t think of this holiday as an opportunity to travel. But if you are thinking of changing things up and going on vacation this year, here are 5 incredible Easter destinations to consider.
 
1. Rome, Italy – If you want to see the greatest Easter celebration in person, there is no better place to head than Rome. The entire city comes alive in the days before Easter, preparing for Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil inside St. Peter’s Basilica (make sure to get tickets if you plan to attend – they are free and go fast). Then, much of the city is shut down for Easter Sunday and Monday, as there are festivals and celebrations throughout the city.
 
2. Washington DC – If you want to stay in the United States and enjoy Easter as part of the vacation, Washington DC is a great option. On the Monday after Easter, the Easter Egg Roll at the White House happens. Thousands of people gather to watch the President partake in the festivities which include an Easter egg hunt, an egg rolling race, and a chance to see the Easter Bunny. Then, after the event, you are in Washington DC, where there is no shortage of things to do.
 
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – This is both a vacation and a celebration of Easter. Rio comes alive for Easter, with street fairs, festivals, and parades you can attend. But after the holiday, you are in Brazil during one of the best times of year. The climate is near perfect, and the beaches are less crowded than the more popular times of year. If you’ve ever thought of traveling to Brazil, this might be the best time to go.

4. New York City, NY – If Washington DC isn’t an option, but you want to stay in the United States, New York City might be an option for you. You can attend mass at the world famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, then join the festivities of the Easter Bonnet Parade. The parade runs from 49th Street to 57th Street and lasts from 10 AM to 4 PM. All along the parade route, there are fun things to do and see, and since the parade is not a formal affair, anyone can join. Then after Easter Sunday, you can spend the rest of the vacation in the city that never sleeps, where there are countless sights to see and activities to do.
 
5. Honolulu, HI – No list of travel is complete without Hawaii. There is no bad time of year to head to Hawaii, however Easter sits in a time when the weather is about perfect. You also see some of the best prices on airfare and accommodations, as April is not a peak month for Hawaii travel. If major Easter celebrations aren’t important for your trip, then it might be time to see why Hawaii is routinely ranked as the best vacation destination in America.
 
When it comes to vacation, there are no bad destinations. However, if you are traveling and would like to partake in an Easter celebration, check out the options above and you will not be disappointed. ​

​If you’ve never travelled out of the country before, you might be surprised at how much more needs to be done before your vacation can begin. From packing to planning to communicating, everything is different on an international vacation. And while we certainly can’t warn you about everything, here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to travel out of the country.
 
1. Find Out About International Calls – Every service provider is different, and every country is handled differently, but you need to know what you can and can’t do when travelling. For some, it’s simply understanding what it will cost while you are abroad, but for other providers, you may need a special SIM Card to allow you to even connect overseas. Also, find out how texts are handled – some providers don’t charge additional to text, which can make it a great way to keep in touch.
 
2. Passport and Visas – As obvious as it may be, be sure your passport is not going to be expired when you travel. It can take months to get a replacement passport, so you want to be sure far in advance that you are able to travel. Also be sure to check the rules where you are traveling – some countries will require you to apply for a visa to travel there. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to almost a year depending on where you are headed.
 
3. Check Travel Advisories – Make sure there are no serious weather issues, outbreaks, or geopolitical warnings before travelling. The last thing you want is to get there and find out you can’t leave the airport because of a monsoon, malaria outbreak, or civil war.
 
4. Know Where the Embassy is – If something should happen while you are out of the country, the embassy may be the only safe place for you. No matter where you are travelling, this piece of information can save you countless hours of paperwork or even save your life.
 
5. Check the Vaccines – When travelling to certain areas, vaccines are recommended to fight diseases which we don’t have here in the United States. Some of these shots are simply a booster, while others are a new shot all together. If you plan to travel abroad, reach out to your doctor to make sure you don’t need any vaccines.
 
6. Give an Itinerary to Someone – Make sure someone at home knows where you will be every day. This doesn’t mean they need to know which museums you will be seeing which days or where you plan to shop, but it should include the cities you will be in and when, as well as the contact information for your hotels or hostels along the way.
 
Again, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should give you a head start as you prepare to leave the country. No go take care of these items so you can relax and enjoy yourself on vacation.