What type of research should I do before I travel?

•Do some research, learn as much as you can about your destination.
•Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
•Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.
•Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.
•Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
•Check to see what other type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
•Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
•Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
•Find our what type of electrical outlets the country uses, you may need a special converter or adapter to use your electrical appliances.
•Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
•Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping, many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
•Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates and checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.
•Do some research with U.S. Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
•Build some basic language skills in the local language.
•Check the dates of local major holidays, since services may be limited on those dates.
•If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
•Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.

Backpacking Tips

Backpacking is an enjoyable way to experience nature and access remote terrain. The folks at Camp Trails offer the following tips to help you get started:
Study a map or guide to know the terrain you'll be hiking and estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination. Pad your estimates with extra time to account for delays.
Obtain necessary permits and reserve campsites in advance, and check local regulations to avoid fines. Know the area's weather patterns and accommodate for time of year. Always be prepared for the worst weather.
Remember, it's very easy to perspire, even in the winter, so dress appropriately in layers and be prepared for changing conditions, temperature changes at higher altitudes, and evenings. Avoid wearing jeans or cotton clothing. Wear polypropylene, wool or other breathable materials that wick moisture away and dry quickly.
Always pack rain gear.
Get to know your gear before heading out. Seam-seal the tent and familiarize yourself with its design and set-up. Learn how to operate your stove so you're not caught in the dark or the rain trying to figure it out. Know what you can carry and how long you can carry it without straining yourself. The pack shouldn't weigh more than 25 percent of your weight, so take only what you need.

Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your trip so you won’t have to take as much cash with you and using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.
The ATM will issue money in local currency.
You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges.
Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

At the hotel

Hotels, especially of the four and five star category are normally extremely safe; providing you with a safe in the room and at the reception area, security guards hiding around the place, and cameras that can be as much your friend as your enemy. But things still can happen so here are a few tips to avoid your valued possessions from taking a walk:
If the hotel has in room safes use it and keep all your valuables in there.
However, if the safe is electronic, wipe the touch keys down before operating it with a damp cloth, and then dry it before entering your secret code. Try to do this every time you use the safe.
Also after you have keyed in your code and closed the door firmly locked on the safe press all the other keys /numbers that do not make up your code, and press them firmly. Doing this may set off a small alarm from the safe but it stops quickly and no one will pay any attention (!!).
The reason to do this is because certain hotels have caught their own hotel staff placing, a light oil residue or powder on to the touch keys that shows them when using a certain light what numbers were pressed. They were managing to open the safe, and one very clever thief was taking only 1 or 2 US$ from each room. Would you have noticed? It is not a lot but in a 400 or 500 room hotel the guy was doing quite well for himself.
Never leave valuables in soft/material bags with pockets even if they are padlocked like Alcatraz
this avoids any potential of somebody simply splitting a seam to a pocket with a knife and removing select contents. This has happened to one of our friends and he never even noticed until he went into the bag and pockets a while later.
This should also apply to luggage that you check into the airplane.
Never get drunk and invite a stranger to your room. This seems funny, I know, but better safe than sorry.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?
•Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
•When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
•Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
•Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
•Carry your purse under your arm.
•Carry your money under your clothes.