We have stepped into a new era of travel a passport is a must have.   Travel can be frustrating flights are cut, over sold, less seats with fees for isle and exit row seating.   There are fees for checked baggage and amenities are non existent.  Your accumulated air miles do not go as far as they use to. It is a new day! Travel has seriously changed in the past twelve months. However people are still traveling. Europe is the #1 destination regardless of the difference in the dollar versus the Euro.

It is time to become a smart traveler. The smart traveler books in advance to get the best prices, knows to travel with one checked  bag and one carryon, and stay within the 50lb allowance. You adhere to the TSA rules, a quart size baggie for your liquids in no more than 3 oz containers. Anything over 3 ounces is taken, no exceptions. Medications in original containers should be packed separately and in your carry on bag. Plan to arrive at the airport early to ensure getting to your departure gate on time.  

We all believe in the wise words of you can't judge a book by its cover, but sometimes the cover is very important. We have discovered this is especially true when it comes to international travel.

Although comfort and being casual ranks high on the clothes we pack for travel, let's not forget that the American way is sometimes regarded as a little too casual.

Always check with your travel agent to guard against offending other cultures when visiting foreign soil. After all, good manners and good taste never goes out of style!

USA Today reports that 1500 European Hotel Managers were interviewed on international travelers. Here are the results:

Best Tippers Worst Dressers

• Americans are the best tippers followed by Russians and Japanese.
• The worse tippers were Germans, French and Israelis.
• Americans are the 3rd most polite hotel guest behind the Japanese and British.
• The least polite were the Russians, French and Israeli.
• The best dressed were the Italians, French and Spanish.
• Americans came in first as the worse dressers. We are known for baseball caps, running shoes, T shirts with offensive sayings.

  Your appearance reflects your opinion of yourself and the image you wish to project to the world at large.