In preparing for a longer international trip, I visited a travel clinic and did some research on the CDC’s website. I was happy to find this checklist for a healthy trip and have included some over-the-counter medicine recommendations below.

It’s worth noting that you may also need some prescription medications (and/or vaccines) for things like malaria and altitude sickness, so if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, participating in a physically active trip, or headed to a remote country, make sure to visit a travel clinic.

Over-the-Counter Diarrhea Medicine: Imodium or Pepto-Bismol

Ah, the most common and arguably most uncomfortable sickness to get when you travel. Though it’s most often caused by contaminated food or water, traveler’s diarrhea can happen anywhere—so it’s a good idea to bring an anti-diarrheal medication no matter the destination or type of trip.

Buy: Imodium or Pepto-Bismol

Over–the-Counter Antacid: TUMS or Pepcid

The last thing anyone wants to do on vacation is walk around with a stomachache or heartburn, especially with all the new food and drink you might want to try. Carry antacids on your trip and you can overindulge all you want.

Buy: TUMS or Pepcid 

Over-the-Counter Antihistamine: Claritin or Zyrtec

You can never be sure when allergies are going to creep up on you while traveling, especially if you’re headed to another climate. Combat its symptoms, including a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing, by packing this travel medication.

Buy: Claritin or Zyrtec

Over-the-Counter Motion Sickness Medicine: Bonine or Dramamine

Nothing can ruin your travels quite like motion sickness on a plane, train, bus, or cruise ship. Instead of resigning yourself to a trip of nausea and dizziness, bring medicine to travel like a champ. Benadryl, an antihistamine, can also work for motion sickness, but watch out for drowsiness.

Buy: Bonine or Dramamine

Over-the-Counter Cough Drops or Suppressant: Ricola or Halls

You’re at an increased risk for getting sick while traveling as your germ exposure skyrockets. Cough drops can bring temporary relief to a sore or ticklish throat and silence your coughs so you don’t annoy fellow travelers.

Buy: Ricola or Halls 

Over–the-Counter Decongestant: Sinex or Sudafed

Nobody likes traveling while congested. Whether it’s a cold or allergies, these over-the-counter medicines can relieve congestion and clear your head. Just make sure you pick a non-drowsy kind if you’re taking this during the day.

Buy: Sinex or Sudafed

Over–the-Counter Pain Medicine: Tylenol or Advil

Instead of lying in bed all day, take pain and fever medicine so you can focus on being a tourist. These over-the-counter medicines can help with common travel ailments such as achy feet or jet lag-induced headaches.

Buy: Tylenol or Advil

Over-the-Counter Mild Laxative: MiraLAX or Dulcolax

All I’ll say is that you won’t regret packing these.

Buy: MiraLAX or Dulcolax 

Over-the-Counter Mild Sedative or Sleep Aid: ZzzQuil or Tylenol PM

Maybe you’re staying in a noisy place or you’re so jet-lagged you can’t sleep. Either way, these sleep aids will make sure you’re refreshed and ready for a day of travel.

Buy: ZzzQuil or Tylenol PM

Pin the Over-the-Counter Medical Travel List:

Never forget the right OTC medications to toss in your luggage by downloading our handy packing checklist. For a companion first-aid checklist, check out our Travel-Sized First-Aid Kit Packing Guide.

Alyssa Lukpat also contributed to this article.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post 9 Over-the-Counter Medications You Should Pack for Every Trip appeared first on SmarterTravel.

After going to Thailand and meeting a handful of people with friends who had contracted malaria on their trips, I vowed to start making a visit to the travel clinic part of my pre-trip prep work before going to at-risk countries. So, when my next trip to Colombia came up, I decided to follow through on this promise. When I researched online and checked out the CDC website, I found mixed opinions on whether to get certain vaccines for certain locations. I knew what to do next: get a professional opinion on what exactly I needed for the areas I was headed.

I contacted my primary care doctor, who referred me back to the CDC website, and after explaining that I’d already done the initial research, they decided to schedule me for a yellow fever vaccine. However, the yellow fever vaccine at the time was on national backorder (which it usually is), and my primary care doctor would not have it in enough time to administer it before my trip. The wild-goose chase to find a yellow fever vaccine led me to the Harvard Vanguard Travel Medicine Department (Editor’s Note: Harvard Vanguard Medical Clinic is now part of Atrius Health and operates under that name).

I made an appointment a little over a week before my trip. (Which is a big mistake, keep reading to see why). When I arrived, I met with a nurse who asked which areas I was traveling to and went over my immunization chart they had from my primary care office. Shortly after, the doctor came in and handed me a thick folder with information I didn’t even know I needed. She went over the Travax Traveler Health Report for Colombia, which included health concerns, requirements for entry (i.e. necessary visas, immunization requirements—some countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccine for reentry within a certain time period of entering their country if you’ve been to areas with yellow fever cases), recommended immunizations, travel advisories, general information (i.e. entry and exit fees, currency, unusual laws, driving laws, civil unrest warnings), embassy contact information, basic preventative measures, and finally a pre-travel checklist.

Access to Shoreland Travax reports are restricted to licensed professionals only, so you can only receive this information at a clinical visit.

We also went over a detailed map of the country with at-risk areas for yellow fever and malaria and determined I should take malaria pills and get the yellow fever vaccine since I was going to a national park. She also recommended I get the typhoid vaccine since mine was outdated and gave me a prescription for traveler’s diarrhea medicine since most areas in the country are at high risk.

She also helped me register in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) and verified my travel insurance coverage through work with GeoBlue. I also got a handy over-the-counter travel medicine/product list to keep for future travels.

Overall, I had a surprisingly pleasant experience and will make sure to visit the clinic before any travels to destinations where I am unsure of what health and safety precautions I should take.

Things to Consider Before You Go to a Travel Clinic

The CDC website is a good place to start; however, the amount of information can be overwhelming and sometimes vague or conflicting. If your primary care office has its own travel medicine department, call them first and see what they recommend. In some cases (like mine) you may end up needing additional vaccines or prescriptions, so having an appointment or consultation is best in person so the doctor can order everything you need at the time of your visit. If your primary care office does not have a travel medicine department, call around and find a clinic covered by insurance in your area, as consultations and vaccines can be pricey if not covered.

Keep in mind that some vaccines can take up to six weeks to be active, so you will need to make your visit well in advance (something I will make note of for my next trip). Also, some vaccines cannot be given at the same time, or need to be given in doses, so it’s extra important to give yourself plenty of time in advance for the necessary vaccinations.

What to Bring With You to a Travel Clinic

A copy of your itinerary or at least a list of places you are going to as well as an updated immunization list if you are visiting a clinic outside of your primary care office. Also make sure to notify the clinic of any allergies, especially to medications.

What to Expect at a Travel Clinic

My visit was short and sweet. I got all of the information (and more) that I needed. My two shots were administered at the time of my visit and I filled out a card to keep with my passport verifying I had the yellow fever immunization.

Can I Get a COVID-19 Test at a Travel Clinic?

The answer is: it depends. Certain locations, such as PassportHealth in the Boston area, are offering COVID testing but not every clinic will provide this service. You can filter your search on the International Society of Travel Medicine’s website for clinics that will perform and document the necessary COVID tests for travel or any other specific services you require. To make an appointment to get a COVID vaccine before your next trip, you can use the Vaccine Finder tool linked from the CDC’s website to find a location near you.

Preparing for Your Trip

In addition to any prescriptions needed, this basic list for health and safety comes in handy for international travel:

• Antihistamines: Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin
• Pain/Fever Relief: Asprin, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol
• Insect Repellent: 30 percent DEET spray, and permethrin clothing spray
• Anti-Diarrhea and Rehydration: Loperamide, Pepto Bismol, Pedialyte powder packets, Gatorade powder packets
• Probiotics: Culturelle
• Motion Sickness: Meclizine
• Other Supplies: Hydrocortisone cream, flight compression socks, digital thermometer, bed net for mosquitos

We also have a handy first-aid packing list that you can download, as well as nine over-the-counter medicines you should always pack.

After Your Trip

Make sure you take all of the recommended doses of your prescriptions, as oftentimes it’s necessary to take them for a few weeks after travel. Watch for any signs of diseases, as symptoms can have delayed onset.

Editor’s note: This story was originally written in 2015, it has been updated with the latest information.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Visiting a Travel Clinic appeared first on SmarterTravel.

What Is Cancel For Any Reason Insurance?

Typically, the “any reason” coverage is in addition to the traditional coverage that is limited to “covered reasons” for cancellation enumerated in the policy.

Does CFAR Cost More?

Some insurers bundle it into some policies; others treat it as an add-on option. Either way, you pay more than you would for conventional coverage. On a sample trip that a middle-age couple might buy, with a total of $4500 in prepayments, for example, the base cost of the least expensive bundled policy was $220; with 75 percent cancel for any reason, the price increases to $370.

What Does CFAR Cover?

The most common CFAR policies cover between 50 to 75 percent of your nonrefundable prepayments. Coverage kicks in when the typical 100 percent recovery for cancellation due to a “covered reason” does not apply. It does not replace the traditional coverages: You still recover 100 percent for covered reasons.

To qualify for “any reason,” you must:

• Insure the full value of all nonrefundable or at-risk payments

• Buy the insurance within a set period, typically 15 to 21 days, of your original trip payment

• Cancel no less than 48 hours before scheduled departure

Many policies include trip-interruption coverage along with cancellation. That means it covers unanticipated costs of rejoining a departure you missed or unexpectedly returning home early. Interruption coverage is subject to the same 48-hour time limit and 75 percent recovery.

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades.

The post Cancel for Any Reason Insurance, Explained appeared first on SmarterTravel.

That’s the takeaway from too many tragic plane emergencies, including the May 2019 explosion of Aeroflot flight 1492 in Moscow, which killed 41 people. In that incident, a lightning strike forced the pilots to make an emergency landing. The plane caught fire but remained intact, and passengers were prompted to evacuate.

However, as details about the incident emerged, investigators signaled that more people could have survived if not for one preventable reason. Video shows passengers dragging carry-on bags with them as they flee the burning plane, and reports suggest the evacuation was slowed by people retrieving their belongings from the overhead bins.

“Reports from people on the plane indicate the evacuation may have been slowed by passengers grabbing their bags. Videos show passengers taking their carry-on bags with them as they exited the plane,” the Association of Flight Attendants said in a statement. “We will never know if more lives could have been saved if the bags were left behind.”

The purpose of posing this question is not to blame the victims of a tragic incident. However, it is a reminder that it’s always worth a refresher on what to do—and what not to do—when you need to evacuate in a plane emergency.

Your Bags Are Never Worth It

The tragic Aeroflot emergency is not the only aviation incident in recent years that has brought in-flight safety to the forefront of travelers’ minds. This year alone saw the collision and evacuation of Japan Airlines flight 516, an easyJet flight filled with smoke on the runway, and a string of safety issues with the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, prompting passengers to pay extra attention to the safety demonstration.

If you find yourself in an evacuation situation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) makes no mistake about it: “If an emergency evacuation is necessary, leave your carry-on items on the plane. Retrieving personal items may impede the safe evacuation of passengers.”

This bears repeating because, as we’ve reported in the past, people seem inclined to do the opposite. During a recent incident in which a laptop caught fire in the cabin of an American Airlines flight, evacuation was stalled by passengers attempting to retrieve their hand luggage against the instruction of the flight attendants. Understandably, the idea of leaving things behind is difficult to accept—losing a laptop, passport, or cash can be an inconvenience. Or perhaps the banality of modern airline travel makes travelers complacent in emergency situations, thinking the danger or urgency is overblown. If that’s the case, though, you’ll likely see your possessions again soon.

It’s also worth nothing that with seat sizes shrinking and plane cabins getting more crowded than ever, it could take longer than you’d think to evacuate. The FAA, in guidelines set forth in 1967, states that commercial aircraft should be able to evacuate completely in 90 seconds. According to an NPR report, it took approximately 5 minutes to complete the evacuation of passengers aboard Japan Airlines flight 516 and 18 minutes for the captain to finally disembark, demonstrating that even a well-executed evacuation can take far longer than the FAA’s standard.

What to Always Do

But as safe as airline travel is, incidents like the Aeroflot fire illustrate the fine line between surviving and perishing in non-crash situations. So, even though you may know the standard onboard safety presentation by heart, here are a few must-do tips for evacuating a plane quickly:

• Look: Locate the nearest emergency exit when you take your seat so you know which way to go. Count the number rows between you and the nearest exit in case you need to navigate in the dark.
• Listen: In the event of an emergency, listen to the flight attendants’ instructions and follow them precisely. Remember, they’re trained for this.
• Leave it behind: Everything in your baggage can be replaced. Your life or well-being, and that of your fellow passengers, cannot.

The post What Not to Do When Exiting a Plane During an Emergency appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Location: Lenox, Massachusetts

Tucked in the western part of the state, Lenox is home to several prominent attractions, including Tanglewood, Shakespeare and Company, and Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount. It’s a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer and fall for leaf peepers. 

Property: Canyon Ranch

Canyon Ranch, located at the former Bellefontaine Mansion, features 100,000 square feet of fitness facilities, a high ropes course, nature trails, and more. 

• Indoor pool and outdoor pool. 
• On-site spa.
• On-site restaurant.
• Fully equipped fitness center.
• Saunas, hot tub, cold plunge.
• Demo kitchen.
• $200 Daily Service Credit. 
• Unlimited wellness and lifestyle activities. 
• Guided Hikes and Bike Rides.

Rooms: Deluxe, Premium Deluxe, Luxury Suites and Condos

I stayed in a two-queen Deluxe room with a view of the front of the grounds. I was amazed at how quiet it was; I couldn’t hear anyone’s showers or doors opening and closing – a usual complaint I have when I stay at a hotel. The bed was one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in, and I had one of the best nights sleep of my life the first night of my stay. The bathroom was spacious, and there was a separate sink with a filtered water spout next to the Nespresso machine in the room- a feature I appreciated, as I always feel weird getting water for my coffee or tea from a bathroom faucet. All in all, the room was comfortable and there were no features I was missing. Other accommodations include one-queen, one-king, two-king Deluxe and Premium Deluxe (premium rooms are located closer to the spa), Luxury Suites and, for when you have a large group, Condos, which can accommodate up to six guests. 

Dining: Sit Down and Grab ‘N’ Go

One sit-down restaurant, Canyon Ranch Grille, operates from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The menu features healthy seasonal, regional foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are highly recommended. Culinary Rebel is a quick-service, grab-n-go restaurant with smoothies, coffee, and tea and a pleasant, comfortable seating area. Both accommodate gluten-free and vegan diets. 

Services: Spa, Classes, Lectures and Demos 

When you stay at Canyon Ranch, be prepared for a day full of activities that nourish your body and soul. The schedule of classes, activities, and menu of services is plentiful and ranges from a simple meditation class to pickleball, hikes, kayaking, yoga, ropes courses, lectures on mindfulness and nutrition, and so much more. Services include massages, body composition screenings, longevity coaching, hypnotherapy, personal training, and even past life experience sessions. 

I arrived around 10 am the morning of my first night and started with a workshop titled “Emotional Stress Release Through Healing Touch.” With a hands-on approach, the lecturer guided us through a quick visualization exercise, and we discussed the results as a group. I followed it up with a Sacral Chakra Hip Opening yoga class, which was both challenging and rewarding. I wanted to take a Journey Through Tarot class later that afternoon, but I had to meet with my group, so I missed it. I had a candle massage (which is not a massage with candles, but with warm oil), which was relaxing and therapeutic.

To finish off my first day, I attended a Miracles, Luck, and the Butterfly Effect lecture with Jerry Posner, which was eye-opening and inspiring. The following day started with a vigorous morning walk through Lenox, perfect for all levels – they have a person in the front, one in the middle, and a third in the back with the slower-paced walkers- so no one felt as if they were going too fast or too slow. I attended a Lunch and Learn for lunch – watching the chef prepare a delicious meal, showing us how to do each step. After,  I did a Coming Home to the Body workshop, a great way to bring awareness to my body and be in the moment. I capped the night off with a Shirodhara treatment, unlike any treatment I have ever had. After a brief massage, the practitioner slowly poured hot oil over my third eye, letting it pool back onto my scalp. She then massaged the oil into my scalp. It was meditative and relaxing, and what I loved most about it was that it was something I would never have booked if I hadn’t been at Canyon Ranch. My downtime was usually spent in the spa area, utilizing the hot tub and sauna, and I even gave the cold plunge a try! It was absolutely freezing, but we found that going in as a group and rooting each other on was the best way to power through it. 

Price & How to Book

Prices are all-inclusive and start at $1,000 per night for single occupancy. 

FAQ Canyon Ranch Lenox

Booking and Rates:

1. What are the nightly rates at Canyon Ranch Lenox? At the time of publication, the lowest price available was $1,000 per night. 
2. Does Canyon Ranch Lenox offer any packages or deals? Canyon Ranch offers a variety of packages, including Sustainable Weight Loss, Mindful Journey, and Fitness Amplified. They also have unlimited spa packages, Best Friends Getaway, and other packages. There are special events throughout the year that focus on specific wellness topics. 
3. What is the check-in and check-out time at Canyon Ranch? Check-in is at 3 p.m.; however, you can arrive anytime after 8 a.m. and start using the facilities; lunch is included. Check-out is at noon. 

Amenities and Activities:

4. Does Canyon Ranch Lenox have a pool? Canyon Ranch has an indoor pool and a (seasonal) outdoor pool.  
5. What on-site dining options are available at Canyon Ranch? One restaurant and one grab ‘n’ go restaurant are on-site. 
6. Are there any spa services available at Canyon Ranch? There are several spa services available. 
7. Are pets allowed at Canyon Ranch? Dogs under 35 pounds are permitted, but guests must inform the resort before their stay by calling (888) 239-5149. Service dogs over 35 pounds are allowed.
8. Is there free Wi-Fi at Canyon Ranch? Yes, there is complimentary Wi-Fi. 

Location and Accessibility:

9. How close is Canyon Ranch to an Airport? Canyon Ranch is just over an hour from Albany Airport and Bradley International Airport, and a complimentary shuttle is provided. 
10. Does Canyon Ranch offer parking for guests?  Yes, there is complimentary valet parking.
11. Can I book my spa services in advance? Yes, you may call to book spa services before your arrival. While at the resort, you can book services at the service desk or through the app. 

Editor’s Note: Canyon Ranch, Lenox hosted the writer of this story.

The post SmarterTravel Spotlight: Canyon Ranch, Lenox MA appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Want to have that same experience every time you walk in your front door at home? We tested out a variety of fragrance methods, from candles to diffusers, to find out which were the best at making our home smell like a five-star hotel. Try out our picks and feel like you’re on vacation every day.

Jupiter Smells Rich Mykonos Candle

Your house may be hundreds of miles from the beach, but it can smell like you’re on an exotic vacation in Mykonos with Jupiter Smells Rich’s candle. Notes of wild orchid, jasmine, lemon blossom, vanilla, and sandalwood conjure up an island getaway.

This luxury candle is made from 100 percent soy wax and has an all-natural beeswax-coated wick to ensure a clean burn. The scent will linger throughout your house long after you’ve blown out the flame.  

Noho Home Reed Diffuser

A diffuser is one of the easiest and safest ways to make your home smell like a hotel. A diffuser is a small vial of scented liquid that disperses the fragrance through wooden reeds. Unlike a candle or plug-in, you can just open up a diffuser and forget about it.

Our favorite diffuser is Noho Home’s Puakenikeni Reed Diffuser. Perfumed oil is housed in a beautiful vessel that efficiently distributes fragerance via reeds. When the scent starts to fade, simply flip the reeds to refresh the smell. We love the Puakenikeni scent, which is designed in Hawaii and inspired by the puakenikeni flower.

Enviroscent

Worried about what you’re breathing in with all of the artificial air fresheners on the market? Enviroscent does things differently, with a focus on making its scents cleaner, healthier, and safer. All of its products use pure fragrance oils in concentrated form (with no additives) and are packaged using renewable and recyclable minimal-waste materials. Scent your space via the stix + stand diffuser, a car vent clip, or a spray.

No matter which method you choose, it’s all flameless and liquidless to eliminate danger and mess. There are many delectable scents to choose from, including a blend of lavender tea and honey, which smells incredibly relaxing and delicious.

Hillhouse Naturals Candle and Diffuser

For a fragrance that will fill your house and last a long time, look to Hillhouse Naturals. This company was founded by a mother/daughter duo who make the products (with the help of a team of women) on their family farm. They use local ingredients, most of which come straight from the farm. Hillhouse Naturals’ diffusers last for an average of three to four months, which is significantly longer than most other diffusers on the market. The soy candles also burn longer than regular wax candles and don’t have the dangerous chemicals that can be found in mass-market candles.

You’ll find plenty of unique scents here, including travel-themed varieties like the lakeside diffuser, which smells like “spectacular sunsets upon fresh cool waters” and conjures up past waterfront vacations.

Scentfill

Scentfill offers a healthier alternative to traditional plug-ins. The company makes refills that are designed to fit into Air Wick oil warmers but are made with 100 percent plant-based and natural oils rather than chemicals. The fragrances are much more complex and luxurious than what you’d find from a drugstore plug-in—choose the Relax Blend with lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus to make your home smell like a high-end hotel.

Most scents will last between 30 and 60 days if the warmer is set to low, and the refills are reasonably priced at $5.77, making this an affordable option for home fragrances. 

Asakuki’s 5-in-1 Aromatherapy Device

Enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and a humidifier with Asakuki’s 5-in-1 Aromatherapy Device. This ultrasonic essential oil diffuser has a large 500-milliliter water tank that allows the diffuser to run for 10 to 15 hours at a time. An auto-off safety will switch off the diffuser when the water runs out, so you don’t have to worry about monitoring it. The Asakuki’s fan is ultra-quiet, so you won’t even notice that it’s on.

Use your own essential oils with the diffuser to create the perfect custom scent for your home. 

Lavender Linen Room Spray

Lavender is one of the most calming and relaxing scents and will help give your home that hotel spa smell. Spritz this lavender linen room spray on your pillows, and it may just help you improve your sleep as well.

Once you start to associate the smell with sleep, you can even pack the room spray and take it with you to help you sleep better in unfamiliar hotel rooms. 

Skandinavisk Candles

For the ultimate hygge experience, light a candle from Skandinavisk. This company takes inspiration from Scandinavia to create unique fragrances like Hav (sea), Lykke (happiness), and Koto (home). Each candle is beautifully designed around a theme, like the Nordlys candle (Norwegian for northern lights), which comes in a painted glass holder that looks like the sky.

The candles will scent a mid-sized room for up to 45 hours, and the glass can be reused as a plant holder or decorative vase once it’s empty.

The post How to Make Your Home Smell Like a Hotel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Focus on Safety First

One of the easiest and most important items on an overseas travel checklist is also arguably the most ignored. Travel insurance and State Department alerts can be incredibly important in emergencies abroad, but many tourists bet they won’t become part of the small percentage of travelers who require evacuation assistance or protection from hotel or flight cancellations.

Subscribing to the State Department’s STEP alerts for your destination can help you stay up to date on upcoming and current travel restrictions, strikes, and areas of political unrest. Any alerts you receive will let you know whether or not to plan for some unexpected obstacles in advance.

Travel insurance can cost as little as a few dollars per travel day and cover anything from lost luggage to emergency medical attention, potentially saving you hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars.

Get Your Travel Documents and Credit Cards in Order

Make sure your passport and any necessary travel visas are up to date. Some countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months after your scheduled return, so make sure you won’t be turned away or delayed at customs because of an old passport. Not sure if you need a visa? Check the State Department’s travel page for your destination.

Keep physical and digital copies of your passport and all your paperwork in case anything is lost. Share copies of your passport, itinerary, and contact numbers with family and friends whom you can contact in case of an emergency.

Notify your bank and credit card companies about your travel dates so they don’t deny your purchases, and ask about international ATM fees so you can find out which ones won’t charge you. It’s always a good idea to bring multiple cards in case one stops working.

Don’t underestimate how helpful a cell phone photo of your passport can be. Whether you have to go to the consulate and report it lost, or are just filling out a customs card and need your passport number, it will likely come in handy. Email the image to yourself to have an extra digital copy in case your phone runs out of batteries or goes missing. You may also want to bring a spare copy of your passport photo on your trip; having it handy will speed the processing of a new document.

Get Vaccinated

It’s best to get the necessary vaccinations out of the way as soon as possible since it can take a few weeks to build full immunity. Some also require multiple doses, which may need to be administered over days, weeks, or even months. Talk to your doctor about getting the CDC-recommended shots, as the protocol for vaccines varies by country. For example, dozens of countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you’ve been to at-risk areas. A travel clinic can help you sort out which vaccinations and medications you might need.

Keep your vaccination certificate in your carry-on in case customs requires you to present it when entering the country.

Study Up on Your Destination

Whether you’re a travel app connoisseur or more of a paperback guidebook person, having some source of knowledge about your destination is invaluable. Read about the region you’re traveling to in advance to gain insight into important information such as currency exchange rates, useful phrases, tipping norms, appropriate clothing, and cultural/legal customs. It’s best to be prepared so you don’t land yourself in a compromising situation.

Make Sure Your Home Is Cared For

There’s nothing worse than realizing once you’re six time zones away that you forgot to stop your mail delivery or ask someone to water your expertly cultivated house plants. Make sure your daily tasks are covered before you leave, or appoint a trusty friend to do them for you.

You can find a house or pet sitter to do your chores if you’re willing to list your home on TrustedHouseSitters.com. Plus, you could find lodging through the site for your trip abroad if you can do the same for someone else.

Stay Connected

Want to stay in touch while traveling abroad? If you haven’t taken your phone overseas before, call your mobile provider to ask about international phone plans that might be available. If your carrier’s plans are expensive, an international SIM card can be a good alternative.

Download the Necessities

Sometimes, the most important thing you’ll pack is in your smartphone rather than your suitcase. Offline maps are your best friend when traveling with limited data or battery. You can find Wi-Fi in many places, but downloading offline maps through Google Maps will allow you to follow your GPS without using up data.

Downloading in-flight entertainment could also save you if your TV malfunctions on a long-haul flight. Streaming won’t be available without consistent in-flight Wi-Fi (which you shouldn’t ever depend on) but you can pre-download movies and TV shows through most platforms.

Don’t forget a portable backup charger. Watching hours of your favorite TV show is sure to drain your battery life, and there’s nothing worse than finally finding a Wi-Fi spot only to have your phone die.

Pack These Essentials

While the contents of your checked bag will largely depend on the climate you’re visiting, you’ll want most of your trip’s essentials easily accessible in your carry-on. Start with this international travel checklist of items to pack:

• Passport and visa
• Medications
• Insurance and ID cards
• Cash, debit cards, and credit cards
• Pen to fill out customs forms
• Portable charger
• Earplugs, eye mask, and sleeping pills
• Electrical converters and adapters specific to your destination
• Headphones
• Antibacterial wipes
• Sweater/scarf in case the plane is chilly
• Cell phone and charger

For more ideas, check out our ultimate packing list.

Consider taking photos of your packed suitcase (both inside and out) in case it gets lost. That way, airline employees will know what to look for, and you’ll know what was inside if you don’t get it back and need to file a claim.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post The Ultimate Checklist for Traveling Abroad appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The market is full of gadgets that promise to help you sleep, but which of them actually work? From smart masks that lull you to sleep with guided breathing to earbuds that block out noisy neighbors, we’ve tested the best tools to help you catch those Z’s on the road.

Hatch Rest Go

If slamming hotel doors, loud traffic, or noisy neighbors keep you awake at night, try packing a portable sound machine. We tested the Hatch Rest Go, a travel-sized sound machine that plays soothing sounds for up to 15 hours. 

Choose from sounds like white noise, rain, ocean, or fan (we liked customizing the sound to our vacation destination, for example, playing the ocean sounds at the beach) and enjoy a better sleep. 

Our favorite feature of the Hatch Rest Go is its simplicity. You don’t need to download an app or connect to WiFi or Bluetooth. Just charge it using the USB-C cable and push the button to start playing white noise. Cycle through the sounds and set the volume with a tap of the buttons. 

Favorite Features:

• Long-lasting battery
• Can be used while charging
• Small and packable
• Made from recycled plastics
• Preloaded sounds

Aura Smart Sleep Mask

The Aura Smart Sleep Mask stands out as the most futuristic sleep gadget we tested. This innovative eyemask features built-in speakers and lights designed to enhance your sleep experience. When paired with its companion app, you can access a wide variety of light and sound programs directly within the mask.

These programs cater to different needs, from improving sleep quality to reducing anxiety and stress. The app allows you to set personalized nighttime routines, such as starting with a guided breathing exercise to induce sleep, followed by white noise throughout the night.

Our favorite feature was the box breathing program, which uses both light and a soothing voice to guide you through a deep breathing exercise. Additionally, the mask’s built-in light can simulate a natural sunrise, offering a gentler way to wake up.

Favorite Features:

• 3D cushion design blocks out 100 percent of light
• No eye pressure due to the molded design
• Ultra-thin speakers are comfortable for side sleepers
• Personalized sleep program
• Ability to set an alarm that will only wake you up (and not disturb your partner)
• Seven-day battery life
• Sleep tracking app

Soundoff Sleep Earbuds

Forget white noise—the latest in noise-masking technology is pink noise. Pink noise emulates sounds humans find pleasant in nature (like ocean waves or rain) and helps you fall asleep quickly and sleep better throughout the night.

SoundOff Sleep Earbuds combine sound-masking pink noise with noise-blocking memory foam earbud tips to help you get the best night’s sleep ever. Noise masking technology actually blocks out all the sound around you, compared to noise canceling, which still lets you hear the disruptive sound (it’s just not as loud).

We liked the SoundOff sleep earbuds because they were the easiest sleep gadget to use. Simply take the earbuds out of the case, turn them on, and you’re ready to go. If you need to, you can adjust the pink noise volume by pressing a button. 

Favorite Features:

• Easy to use, no app required
• Preloaded sounds
• Blocks out noise extremely well
• Charge lasts up to 16 hours
• The portable carrying case doubles as a charger
• Memory foam tips form to your ears and are very comfortable

Philips Sleep headphones

If you really need to block out noise to get a good night’s sleep, we recommend Philips’ Sleep Headphones. These ultra-thin headphones are designed to lie flat in your ear, so they’re comfortable even for side sleepers. 

Pair these headphones with Philips’ Kokoon app, which will play sleep meditations, soundscapes, or whatever media you choose. The smart headphones will detect when you drift off to sleep, fade out your audio, and replace it with white noise to block out loud sounds.

These headphones are great for using on a plane. They drown out engine noise (and crying babies) and look like normal headphones.  

Favorite Features:

• Trademarked SnoreProtect technology that masks external sounds
• Can be used as regular headphones when you’re not sleeping
• Great library of white noise and relaxing audio in the app
• Sleep-tracking technology helps you monitor the quality and amount of sleep you get each night

SleepPhones Wireless

If both noise and light keep you awake, try a gadget that blocks out both, like the SleepPhones Wireless. The SleepPhones look like a headband but are designed to be worn over your eyes, eye mask style. Hidden inside the band are slim headphones that are flat and comfortable to lie on. 

The headphones can stream any audio you choose via Bluetooth, helping you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. 

The SleepPhones are available in a fleece or “breeze” fabric—we recommend the lightweight and cooling breeze fabric if you’re a hot sleeper.

Favorite Features:

• Option for eco-friendly packaging
• Ability to stream your own media 
• Battery charge lasts 24 hours
• Washable

The post The Best Sleep Gadgets for Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Check for Bedbugs

The very first thing you should do when you enter your hotel room is check for bedbugs. Put your luggage inside the bathroom (ideally in the bathtub), where bedbugs are the least likely to be hiding. Next, follow this easy guide to identifying signs of bedbugs. 

If your room does have bed bugs, you’ll want to know before you settle in, as these pests are extremely easy to pick up and carry with you to your new room—or worse, back home.

Check the Alarm Clock

In-room alarm clocks are being phased out of hotel rooms in favor of smartphone docking stations, but if your hotel room still has an old-school clock, make sure you check to see if the alarm is set. 

If the last guest set a daily alarm for 6 a.m. and never turned it off, you could be rudely awakened earlier than you wanted to. 

Better yet, unplug the clock entirely if possible. This will prevent unexpected alarms and help you sleep better without the glowing light (unless the clock has a battery backup). 

Check Hiding Spots

Before letting your guard down in your locked hotel room, check these hiding spots to make sure you really are alone: under the bed, in the closet, and in the shower. An intruder could have slipped in before you and could be lying in wait—or something more gruesome. Snopes lists a number of actual incidents in which guests checked into a hotel, complained about a horrible odor in their room, and later discovered a human body hidden under the bed or mattress. They had literally been sleeping on top of a corpse. 

Study the Emergency Escape Route

Emergency escape maps are required by law to be posted on the back of the main door to every hotel room. Take a few minutes to orient yourself in the hotel building and to familiarize yourself with the fastest exits (as well as backup routes in case the closest path is blocked).

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use this information during your stay, but in the worst-case scenario of a fire or other emergency where every second counts, these few minutes of preparation could save your life.  

Deadbolt the Door

Mistakes can be made, and it’s not uncommon for someone to be given an incorrect room assignment and the key to your room—meaning another guest could accidentally walk into your room, even if the door is locked. When you’re inside your hotel room, always activate the deadbolt or security chain to prevent intruders (or just unexpected visits from hotel staff). 

Sanitize

Your room may look clean, but that doesn’t mean it’s sanitary. Wipe down germ hotspots (like light switches and doorknobs) with an antibacterial wipe to stay healthy. And be sure to wipe down the television remote control (or better yet, put it in a bag or shower cap) before using it, as it generally isn’t cleaned in between guests. 

Jettison Any Decorative Items From the Bed

It’s a mystery to us why hotels insist on putting decorative throw pillows on beds (that clearly can’t be washed). Make sure your sleeping surface stays clean by removing anything that isn’t obviously laundered when the room is cleaned—including throw pillows and bedspreads. 

Wash Your Hands

You’ve just come from a plane, public transportation, or road trip with rest stops—washing your hands as soon as you arrive in your own private bathroom is a smart move. 

The post 8 Things You Should Always Do When You Check Into a Hotel Room appeared first on SmarterTravel.

We spoke with sleep experts to discover their secret sleep tips for travelers. Follow these easy guidelines to get better rest the next time you travel.

Late Night Dining and Drinking

Dr. Robbins knows a thing or two about the science of snoozing—she’s an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Associate Scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Sleep Expert at the Benjamin Hotel in New York City. 

Dr. Robbins advises avoiding eating or drinking well before bedtime if you want a great night’s sleep. 

A nightcap may sound like just the thing to send you off to slumber, but it can actually do the opposite. Eating (especially a heavy meal) or drinking alcohol too close to bedtime forces your body to work on processing that food and drink. It can actually “pull you out of some of the deeper, more restorative sleep stages,” according to Dr. Robbins.

However, a very light snack or non-alcoholic drink, consumed an hour or so before bedtime, can actually help you fall asleep. Dr. Robbins recommends pairing Goji berries (which have a naturally high concentration of melatonin) with a cup of decaffeinated tea as a wind-down ritual in the evening.

Skipping Your Workout

You don’t have to hit the hotel gym every day on vacation, but working in some form of daily movement during your trip can make a huge difference in your sleep quality. Opt for a long walk instead of hopping on the subway, sign up for a kayaking trip, or rent a bike—outdoor exercise will expose you to natural light and help regulate your circadian rhythm to your new location, which is key for fending off jet lag. 

Plus, regular exercise has been proven to help adults fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality.

Not Packing for Sleep Success

In a study conducted by Dr. Robbins, noise in a hotel room was the strongest cause of poor guest sleep while traveling. Although you can’t control outside noise like loud neighbors or traffic sounds, you can eliminate their effect on your sleep by packing something to drown them out. 

I recommend SleepPhones’ Wireless, a unique eye mask and headphone hybrid that has built-in speakers to help you block noise. Connect the SleepPhones to your phone and stream white noise or any other sound that helps you sleep—the battery can last for up to 24 hours on a single charge. The speakers lie flat inside of a fabric headband, so they are comfortable even if you sleep on your side. The SleepPhones also double as an eyemask, blocking out light that can disrupt your slumber.

Additionally, we recommend blocking out light in your hotel room even further by using a clothes hanger and clipping the blackout curtains together to prevent light from seeping in. 

Choosing the Wrong Hotel

Before booking a hotel, do a quick search of the word “sleep” in the hotel’s reviews across various sites. This way, you’ll find complaints from people who couldn’t sleep due to terrible mattresses/pillows, thin walls, noisy roads, etc. and can decide if that’s a deal-breaker for your stay. 

Prioritize your accommodation search to focus on for hotels that offer special sleep amenities or have dedicated sleep programs like the one at The Benjamin which offers everything from a pillow menu to a lullabye library for guests.

Failing to Take Anti-Jet Lag Measures

Jet lag may seem like an unavoidable part of long-haul travel, but it doesn’t have to be. Yunha Kim, Founder and CEO of Sleep Reset, recommends prepping your body for a time change before you even board the plane.

“About three to seven days before you travel, start to slowly adjust your bedtime and mealtimes to match your destination’s time zone,” says Kim. “Adjust by about 30-minute changes every day and night.”

Once you arrive, try to stay up until your regular bedtime. For example, Kim says, “If you normally go to bed at 10 pm at home, wait until it’s 10 pm at your destination before going to sleep.”

Still struggling? Try using sunlight to help your body adjust to a new time zone. “If you need to wake up earlier than you typically do in your home time zone, get outside or use artificial light within 30 minutes of waking up,” advises Kim. “If you need to wake up later than you typically do in your home time zone, try to hold off and expose yourself to sunlight later in the afternoon for the first day or so.” 

The post 5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Sleep While Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.