What We've Learned

Foreign Destinations

· Register with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you're visiting (on the U.S. State Department site, http://travel.state.gov/ , click on International Travel, then Registration With Embassies). This is especially important if you're going to be there for more than two weeks or if the country is experiencing civil unrest. The State Department will be able to contact you or assist in an evacuation if there's an emergency.

· Keep informed about developing situations by checking the public announcements and travel warnings at the State Department site, http://travel.state.gov/ . As a reality check, compare the U.S. warnings with those on other countries' sites, such as the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs' Consular Affairs division ( http://www.voyage.gc.ca/ ) or the United Kingdom's Foreign & Commonwealth Office ( http://www.fco.gov.uk/ ). For U.K. transportation issues: Department for Transport ( http://www.dft.gov.uk/ ).

· Set up at least two free e-mail accounts (Gmail, Hotmail, etc.), since an account that works in one country may not work in another. You can keep the same account for every trip as long as you access it once every 30 days. Set up your accounts before you leave home so that your contacts will have your e-mail addresses.

· Scan your main passport page, visa and any paper tickets, and e-mail them to yourself and a friend. Keep a copy of your itinerary in your e-mail account.

· Pack a photocopy of your passport's main page in a separate bag. At the very least, memorize your passport number. You need that nine-digit code more and more on international trips these days, from immigration documents to hotel check-ins. And it's the starting point for replacing lost passports.

Packing

· Pack light and leave behind every possible electronic product whose wires could alarm a security officer.

· Spread throughout your checked baggage any thick or heavy objects , such as books, chocolate or peanut butter, that might be difficult for X-ray machines to penetrate. This may keep your luggage from being opened. For a list of permitted and prohibited items: http://www.tsa.gov/ .

· Invest in a TSA-approved lock (you'll find them labeled as such at travel stores) for your checked bag. Screeners who want to inspect checked luggage will cut open non-TSA locks. Of course, they may cut TSA-approved locks too (not all screeners have gotten the word), but the approved locks reduce the odds of this happening.

· If you're traveling with a friend, split your toiletries and clothes into two groups, then combine one another's stuff in two pieces of checked luggage. This way, if either bag is lost (an increased possibility now that more people are checking bags), you'll have at least half your stuff at your destination.

· As a favor to TSA officials who might have to paw through your luggage, carry clear plastic bags for storing dirty clothes at the end of a trip.

· Bring medication in its original packaging, including the label with your name on it. Make sure the name on the label matches the one on your ticket.

· To get around the liquids-and-gels restrictions in carryons, buy solid versions of products usually sold in liquid form, such as shaving soap and crystal deodorants; buy pre-moistened towelettes containing sunscreen and insect repellent. Consider ordering toiletries ahead of time and having them delivered to your destination from companies such as Drugstore.com ( http://www.drugstore.com/ ).