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International Traveling Do’s

Planning for international travel can be exhausting and seem as if you will never fully be prepared. Personally, I am a procrastinator, but it’s best for you to plan  and do some things early to avoid travel disappointments. There are 10 things that I believe is a “must do” when traveling and will make your international travel experience a lot better.

  1. Global Entry and TSA Pre-check –  For $100,  global entry is totally worth it. It allows you to skip long lines when entering back into the U.S. and it also includes TSA pre-check in which you can use for any type of travel within the U.S. If you are an American Express Platinum member, you get reimbursed for global entry, so basically it is FREE. I love global entry but I really appreciate having TSA pre-check a little bit more just because I don’t have to arrive to the airport super early and it allows me to get to my gate at the airport faster.
  2. Always check-in early – I try to never check-in at the airport even if I do have bags to check. You never know what may happen in the event of an emergency while traveling to the airport.  Many times at the airport there are “Bag Drop” lines which are shorter and can be used if you are already checked in. You never want to get stuck in a long line to check-in when you could have done it the night before in the comfort of your bed.
  3. Buy a luggage scale – I purchased a luggage scale from Amazon for about $11.99 and it has saved me time and money. You never want to be that person at the airport that have to constantly remove items from your luggage because your bag is overweight. With a scale, you can pack just what you need and not only that, the scale is usually very accurate.
  4. Bring snacks – You never want to fly without your personal favorite snacks. It will certainly make the ride more comfortable for you. There is no limit on how much food you can pack in your carry-on luggage, but if you do not have TSA pre-check then you may have a TSA agent pull your bag at security to check the food; but don’t worry. It just takes a few extra minutes of your time, but you will be fine.
  5. Bring meals – If you are flying on an airline like “WOW” or “Norweigan” and you have to pre-pay for meals. Those airline dinners usually cost about $40. Grab something at the airport once you pass security to save you some money. Many times the airline food is not that good anyway unless you are flying business/first class. If this is the case, then meals are included in your ticket.
  6. Ask about an upgrade at the gate – I try to dress nice and wear items with logos on it to get recognized. You will be amazed at how much more accommodating airline reps will be by you just  dressing the part. Also, inquire about an upgrade at the gate. My motto has always been “It won’t hurt to ask”.
  7. Travel with an ink pen – Believe it or not, this can save you time at your destination airport. Most of the time,airlines will provide you with a travel declaration document to fill out (basically so the country you are visiting will know your location while there and what potential harmful items you are bringing into the country). You can ask someone around you to borrow their pen or you can just have your own. If you fill it out at the airport then you may end up at the end of the line waiting to go through customs.
  8. Ask about special hotel accommodations – At the hotel, ask “What is included in the stay?”, especially shuttles, beach towels, breakfast, vouchers, etc. You can save a lot of money and some time by simply using what you have basically paid for already. Get the most out of your stay.
  9. When returning to the US, get to the airport early – Remember, TSA is an agency of the U.S. which means that it is not supported in other countries. Different rules apply in foreign places. I try to make it a rule to have my bags dropped at the airport at least 1 hour before boarding time. That is a rule of thumb I’ve created for myself after missing a flight from Paris in 2016. I haven’t missed a returning flight since that time.
  10. Get up early: I do not like traveling internationally with anyone who likes to sleep in. Depending on your travels, sunset may be earlier in a particular country and you may miss most of the day.  Arriving late to attractions will have you waiting in long lines, which allows you to get dramatically less out of your day.

 

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Where to Stay When Traveling Abroad?

While luxurious hotels and resorts have a great reputation for providing comfort and convenience, it may damage your pockets. If you are like me, you would rather pay less and travel more. While I value the points rewarded via airline and hotel sponsored credit cards and others, such as Amex, I like to use those as a last resort, especially since most of the time the points never expire.

Airbnb is an American company which operates an online marketplace and hospitality service for people to lease or rent short-term lodging including holiday cottages, apartments, homestays, hostel beds, or hotel rooms. Airbnb also facilitates experiences related to tourism such as walking tours. When Airbnb was first introduced in 2008, I had so many questions regarding the safety and privacy of these rentals. It took me a few years to gain enough courage to book an accommodation through Airbnb. My first experience was the summer of 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. In choosing the perfect Airbnb, of course, I read the reviews. I searched for rentals that contained a substantial amount of reviews from past guests. Secondly, I looked at the location of the rental to check it’s proximity to the city/downtown area. Particularly, since I travel alone mostly, I was interested in using this opportunity to meet the host and learn more about the culture of the place I was visiting. After booking the Airbnb in Barcelona, I was immediately contacted by the host who gave me a warm welcome and expression of gratitude for booking. The host gave me instructions on how to  arrive to their home and also asked me about places I wanted to see while visiting. After arriving to the location, I was shown the place and was offered to be guided through the city due to the fact that the host could work from home and enjoyed showing their guests around. I was really  captivated by the experience and of what I learned while in Barcelona. From this Airbnb experience, I slept in a private home, was taken to restaurants for good Spanish food, and guided through the city just because the host was just as thrilled about showing their city to a foreigner more so than I was about being there; a place I never been before. The best part about the Airbnb experience was the cost. After spending 5 days in Barcelona, my Airbnb total cost came to $200. Not to mention, my flight was $450 from JFK airport, which included a layover in Iceland that gave me a chance to visit the Blue Lagoon. This opened my eyes to Airbnbs and I have been using them ever since.

The best part about the Airbnb experience is the cost. -Cedric W.

Airbnb home rentals may not be ideal all the time. Make sure that the rental has a good amount of reviews and great ones. Also, I would only advise you to use this service in more developed cities that contain a high number of rentals, such as Paris, Dubai, Rio de Janiero, Athens, Amsterdam, etc. From my experience, the level of comfort is decreased in poverty stricken areas or areas dramatically less developed than what you are accustomed to. I recommend sharing an apartment or home, or booking a private space. For women especially, booking a private home would be more ideal.

Do I always book 5-star resorts? No! Its too expensive sometimes and you don’t gain as much of a cultured experience. So there you have it. I challenge someone to try this experience and tell me about it. Comment below about your experiences using Airbnb. I have not had a bad experience but probably because I thoroughly research the rental and the area before booking. Have fun and remember, “Do it for the culture”!

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Research Before You Travel Internationally

Planning an international destination visit is never easy especially if you have booked different flights within your main flight. Many times I book other flights within my visit so that I can have the opportunity to visit more places and see more. By doing this, it is cheaper than visiting one site alone. I do not have a 3 day, 7 day, or 30 day check list on how to plan before your departure, but what I can tell you is what not to miss when planning.

Firstly, many countries may require a visa or tourist card to enter. Some of these tourist cards can be purchased at the departure airport from the U.S. or at the destination airport. For example, entrance into Cuba requires a tourist visa (tourist card) and it can actually be purchased in advance or at the airport. Before I arrived in Cuba in 2017, I purchased a tourist visa at CLT (Charlotte International Airport) for $100. However, entering other countries are not this easy. Before I entered Liberia, I had to submit a VISA application to the embassy here in the U.S. and submit records of required immunizations, such as the yellow fever vaccination. Which documents are required depends on the country you are visiting. Therefore, it is always imperative that you thoroughly research what documents are required to enter any foreign place in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you may not receive your travel documents in time or may have to pay an expedited fee which can be very expensive.

It is also a good idea to read travel forums, which include experiences of other people. These forums may not contain facts but it does give you ideas of situations to further look up. If someone was robbed in a particular location then this is information that may be on the forums in which would warn you to be careful while in certain areas.

Never travel without a plan unless you want to waste time and money. -Ced

 

Make an itinerary. Write down places that you want to visit and map it out. The reason you want to map it out is so that you know where you are going and how much time you would have to get there. Even if your itinerary is not thorough, it is still suggested that you make one with mapped out locations. I consider myself a shutterbug so I look for historical and famous places to visit so that I can get a great photo. I also try to find hiking trails that will lead me to awesome views. While recently visiting Honolulu, Hawaii, I mapped out the distance of Lanikai Beach from the Diamond Head trail so I could account for travel time and also know the approximate Uber fare.

Safety is a major concern of mine, so therefore I research the location I will be staying in while there. I usually book through Airbnb, however some destinations do not have what I consider “safe airbnbs” so therefore I look at hotel options. For instance, I took a trip to San Andres Island in March 2018. I looked at airbnb accommodations first before researching the island. The island is not as well-developed as places here in the U.S. so then I knew that I was not going to get better accommodations by utilizing living spaces of residents in San Andres. I ended up booking at an all-inclusive resort, Hotel Sol Caribe Campo, which turned out to be the best idea because this resort was beyond beautiful and very safe. I do like to experience more of the culture by living in the residents’ spaces, but safety comes first. Research is the key and will allow you to not waste your time or money.

One other major thing I research before traveling is currency. I only speak one language fluently, which is English (and some of my friends would say that I don’t speak English too well lol). You always want to know the conversion rates and have them memorized. You want to show the natives of the land that you know their money and that you can not be fooled. The best way to show them this is to know the conversion rates. In many countries, banks allow you to get money out ATMs and it depends on your bank how much the exchange rate would be. I love my American Express card because it it doesn’t charge exchange fees, even on the cash that I get out of the ATM. The Capitol One Venture credit card does not charge exchange fees either. I love using my credit card whenever I can because the credit card companies can better work with you in the event of a discrepancy. Always carry low amounts of cash and use a credit card with no exchange rate whenever possible.

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How To Choose A Cool Spot For A Picture?

If you are  like me, then you are always thinking ahead of places to visit to capture great moments for awesome pictures. I believe you can not lose when it’s a place full of greenery and good ole’ Mother Nature. I really love outdoor photography and I believe the outdoors bring the most gratification to a World Traveler; well, at least it does for me. To save on time, the best way to find locations before you travel is to research them. Make a list of all the sites you want to visit. I love great views so therefore I am always researching hiking trails and landmarks. Of course, I believe that you always want to visit the famous landmarks because some destinations may be a once in a lifetime experience for you. However, I also think it would be awesome to locate less popular places, find the beauty in it, and capture the scene with a beautiful picture. I prefer outdoor photography because I enjoy doing editorial work on nature photos. When you are on an international destination, find a trail that takes you to a breathtaking view and experiment. Don’t forget your camera. Take pictures on the water or on top of a mountain that overlooks land or a body of water. Think as if you are giving your destination a glamour photo shoot. Read further in the “photography section” and incorporate all methods provided to successfully take a great photo.

I think it would be awesome to locate less popular places, find the beauty in it, and capture the scene with a beautiful picture.

 

 

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How to Get Great Lighting For a Picture?

I consider lighting to be the most important concept when taking pictures. Whether it’s natural lighting or studio lighting, pictures need good lighting for the best presentable picture. Some may believe that the sun is necessary to get the best pictures but that is not true. The sun can actually work against you and make it really hard to get a great shot outdoors. Direct sunlight makes your images have a high contrast and leads to a lens flare and colors that will appear to be too saturated. I prefer to take pictures during sunrise or sunset but when you have several sites to see during a day, you can not avoid mid-day sunlight. To get the lighting right, here are some tricks that I use whether I’m having my picture taken with a smartphone or DSLR camera:

  1. Turn your back against the sun – The shadows on the sun can tell you where the sun is positioned. This will keep the sun off of your face and cause you not to squint.
  2. Block the sunlight – Use a structure that’s close by , a tree , or building to block some of the harsh lighting. The sun makes it really hard but if you can get close to a structure then it will not give your picture an overly exposed look.
  3. Find some shade – if you are using a DSLR camera, you can use a hood but if you are using a smartphone you can use your hand. This will reduce the lens flare. Always use a hood if you are shooting in the sun because it is beneficial to the glass element of the lens.
  4. Utilize sunrise and sunset – These are the best times for pictures. The sun is either coming up or its going down. The color of the clouds when the sunlight from a sunset is reflected from them makes a picture look incredibly great.
  5. Move – Either the subject can move or the photographer can move. Just move where your back is facing the sun and is away from your face.

This may seem a little complicated but it is really not. It is designed for you to have fun but also have some cool pictures to reflect on later. I’m not a professional photographer at all but I just love having fun with the camera. Personally, I enjoy being behind the camera rather than in front, which may be hard to believe since I’m in tons of pictures.  Have fun and try to use these methods when taking pictures on a sunny day.

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Does It Matter If You Use an iPhone or DSLR Camera?

The question is “Which camera to use to take awesome photos to help capture those favorite travel moments?” Personally, I travel with both, a DSLR camera and my iPhone X. If you google “iPhone camera vs. Android camera” you would find an infinite number of reviews comparing both cameras. My vote have always been with the iPhone because I started  with the iPhone and have always enjoyed the picture that it provided me. Android pictures always seemed over-exposed to me in its earlier stages of development but now the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 provides high resolution pictures and is just as sharp as the iPhone X. I have an apple watch which snaps pictures from my phone stabilized on a tripod and that’s another reason why I prefer using the iPhone. Overall, I do not think it matters which camera to go with but I would definitely go with either the iPhone X or Galaxy Note 8 for the best photos from a cellular phone in regards to quality.

So which camera to use? A DSLR or iPhone? Well, it depends. The iPhone is so convenient and easier to use. It can also give you a beautiful quality picture to post on your Facebook or Instagram page. I actually prefer to use the iPhone X to take pictures during travel. Its quick and easy and after a Lightroom mobile edit, the picture is ready for Instagram. The reason I take a DSLR camera with me is because it produces higher quality images with higher resolution and more detail. You can not exactly see the difference from the pictures posted on social media but you can definitely see the difference if you were to use the photos for print publication or to simply upload to a website.

The iPhone is so convenient and easier to use.

I like to capture my travel moments with a DSLR and my iPhone X. I think that if you had the option then definitely travel with a DSLR but if you didn’t own one and wanted great pictures for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., then the iPhone X takes excellent pictures. I use a Nikon 5600 to capture photos that I want to use on my blog and to print for home decor purposes. I love to edit with Lightroom, particularly Lightroom mobile because I never travel with my laptop. Using Lightroom mobile to edit a picture taken from an iPhone X could definitely give you a phenomenal picture. Feel free to comment and ask me questions on how to edit in Lightroom. It depends on the photo mostly but I can tell you simple things I do to create a better looking final picture.

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How To Get Amazing Photos While Traveling Alone?

“Who takes your pictures?” has been the most asked question about my destinations especially since I travel alone for most of them. We all know how hard it is to gather friends at the last moment to go on a trip during a work week. Instead of me passing the travel deals up, I would just book it and go. You can still have just as much fun traveling alone but I never allowed not having a photographer or friends with me to stop me from getting some cool photos.

One of the most common ways to get a cool picture taken if are vacationing alone is to ask another person close by to take it . Many of the places I visit have many tourists visiting and they want pictures of them taken as well. I usually do a picture for picture swap . “I’ll take your picture if you take my picture as well” is my strategy. This method works sometimes. You may experience people who do not know how to work your professional camera well or ones who will take blurry pictures or cut off what you want in the picture. Explain to them how you want the picture. Don’t be ashamed because you probably will never see that person again and may never visit that area again.

One of the most common ways to get a cool picture taken if you are vacationing alone is to ask another person close by to take it.  -Cedric

Another way and my most favorite way to take my own picture and not bother anyone else around is to use a tripod. I purchased a small smartphone tripod from amazon for $20 and it is definitely worth the money. The Apple Watch allows me to snap the picture from my IPhone while it is sitting on the tripod. What makes this even better is that my Apple Watch is waterproof, which means I can snap pictures from the water. If you read in my other section about the difference between dslr and smartphone pictures then you will learn that a smartphone’s picture quality basically only works for social media post and sharing. For the best high quality pictures for publication or website use, I suggest using a great DSLR camera. I have not traveled with a tripod for my Nikon camera simply because I consider myself a shutterbug and have not been focused primarily on photography when I travel. However, that may change for me in the future.

Now I want you guys to get started and try using these methods for your photos. Comment and tell me what methods you use to get your picture taken while on vacation in a different country.

 

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Will Rain Affect Your Experience and Ability to Take Amazing Photos?

Experiencing crappy weather during your entire vacation can put a damper on your outdoor pictures if you allow it to. I have never experienced rainy weather my entire time in an area while on vacation abroad, probably because I move around visiting many places and due to the fact that I research before going . I try refrain from going to another country during it’s rainy season, but weather reports are not 100%. For instance, Bangkok’s rainy season is August – October and it could possibly rain the entire time while you’re there. I always try to make the best of any situation if the weather is not cooperating . In regards to photography and horrible weather, this is when a professional camera comes into play. You can take amazing pictures outdoors in the rain with a  DSLR professional camera and it could bring more detail to the raindrops and overall give your photos a more realistic and natural touch. Even shortly after the rain, a professional or great smartphone camera can be utilized to bring a great rainfall look to your photo.

In the case where you don’t have a DSLR camera with wide capabilities and if you are not greatly experienced with using a smartphone outdoors,  then this would be the time for you to tackle indoor photography and locate some very detailed and historic buildings . Museums are great for these type of pictures. There are landmarks everywhere even if some are not famously known. The beautiful thing about photography is that you can help these sites become famous and you can make the unknown known with pictures.

 

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How To Be Safe In Foreign Places?

Safety should be your primary concern when traveling. When traveling abroad, it’s usually everyone’s intention to come back home alive in one piece. There are some items I listed below that I use to stay safe.

  1. I only try to look like a tourist in tourist areas. For instance, in Paris near the Eiffel Tower during the day is a totally fine area to have your camera out roaming around. I definitely would not recommend doing this at nighttime.
  2. Keep your phone charged and maintain a service connection. Pay for roaming charges if you have to but you always want to have access to someone who can help in case of an emergency. I am a Verizon wireless customer and I use their travel pass plan for $10/day. It is definitely well worth it.
  3. Don’t take the train system at night. Pay the extra money for a taxi or Uber ride. Train systems are usually underground and that is not where you want to go at night while in a foreign place.
  4. Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep looking around to make sure you are not being followed. Be mindful of your environment.
  5. Don’t talk to strangers. I personally don’t even speak to someone who approaches me to talk. When people try to engage in conversation, keep walking. More than likely the person is a beggar or trying to rip you off.
  6. Only carry a small amount of money. No one can steal it if you don’t have it.
  7. If you have a drink or are eating somewhere, never turn your head away from your food or drink. 
  8. Social media can be good or bad. I advise you to let someone know your itinerary. Keeping your social media followers in the know of your whereabouts is not always the best plan. The bad component to this is that you don’t ever personally know all your social media followers so just keep at least one friend who you can tell your actual plans to.
  9. Medicines made in foreign countries are not FDA tested and approved, therefore if you consume any of these drugs and you experience a harmful reaction then you may have to suffer the consequences with no compensation. All medical legal matters have to be carried out in that country. Remember, laws in other countries are different and some don’t have as great of a justice system as the U.S.

 

 

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What Not To Do While Abroad?

I’ve learned from some mistakes after my international travel trips and wanted to share a few of those things with you. Μany of these suggestions listed may seem like common sense to many of you. However, for those who hardly ever or never have traveled internationally, these tips may be helpful.

  1. Do not roam around the city without a copy of passport or identification . I was stopped by police in Rome and I’m glad I had my passport with me (Usually it’s better to have a copy of it while touring).
  2. Don’t allow anyone to help you do something that you are fully capable of doing yourself.  Any person who gets a taxi at the airport for you for example is expecting compensation. It’s a waste of money so tell these people “NO”.
  3. Don’t try to get into any confrontation of any sort with anyone. Just give up. Remember that you are in a foreign country and the law may not be on your side there.
  4. Don’t arrive to the airport too late. Some airlines are more stringent with time than the U.S. so arrive at least 2 hours before your flight.
  5. Don’t buy souvenirs at the airport. Expect to pay a fortune.
  6. Even though I consider English to be the universal language, don’t expect for everyone to know it. Be prepared and know questions in other languages such as “How much?”, “What time?” “Where is..?”, etc.
  7. Don’t roam around the city alone at night in dark places, especially with lots of cash.
  8. Don’t look like a tourist if you are not in major tourist areas. Pictures are not acceptable everywhere so do research and know about the places you plan to visit in regard to it’s customs with pictures and places you can enter.
  9. Don’t buy too much and not expect to possibly pay for additional luggage and travel fees. I tell my friends all the time that I am bringing light weight souvenirs back. Buying additional luggage makes it very difficult to get around.
  10. Don’t oversleep. Most times you want to get out early and roam while there are less people out .
  11. Don’t tell strangers which hotel you are staying at. Just don’t .
  12. Don’t get in a car with anyone at the airport or someone who is willing to take you to your destination if they are not an official taxi driver or Uber. Many times I like to use airport-approved taxis at the airport or the train if its daytime because I want to be extra safe since I have all my luggage with me.
  13. Don’t exchange money at the airport. It usually will cost you more. Try to use the hotel, a local bank , or withdraw from a major bank ATM located in the city you are visiting.