I’m sure you have noticed that there are lists for everything. Top ten lists for beaches to see and 1,000 places to dine. They may list what you should see for a city, for an area, for a country, or for something like scuba diving hotspots around the world.

We have to admit, we look at those lists when we’re planning trips. How many “have to see” things does this country or that city have. We have to say, our favorite picks pretty much coincide with those lists. There are just some things you must see anywhere you travel in the world. In Cairo, you must see the pyramids; in Paris, the Eiffel Tower; in New York, the Statue of Liberty.

Just remember that any list, whether it’s top sites in a particular country or what you need to see or do before you die is someone else’s idea of what is important. Use these lists for ideas, but don’t define your trip by them. Not everything on those lists will interest you, and your time could be spend elsewhere on something that interests you more.

You can even find lists that are for specific interests, like top restaurants in a city. If you like to party, you can find the top night life spots or bars. If you are a shopaholic, I’m sure there are lists to find the best places to shop. If you like nature, there are lists for the best places in the world to see wildlife. Whatever your interests, I am sure you could find a list.

Some top ten lists will tell you to skip touristy sights. We don’t think you should listen to them. If there is someplace you think you want to see, go and see it. Judge for yourself if it’s touristy or not. It’s not a bad thing to be a tourist!

Everyone has a different opinion about what is fun to see and what is boring. I don’t enjoy shopping, so I’m going to stay away from those top ten lists for best places to shop. I will check those lists of “best places to see wildlife” and then do the research to see if what they recommend appeals to me. We also love ancient sites, like castles and megaliths, but they may bore you to death.

It’s not necessarily fun to run from one site to another site just ticking them off the list if it’s someone else’s dream. Pick and choose what interests you and enjoy each place you visit.

We do think top ten lists are fun. If we can tick them off and have fun doing it, we love that. They’re a good place to start your planning. Compare different lists. There are many top ten lists out there. If they all list the same sights, chances are those really are the ones you shouldn’t miss.

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When you travel, you are responsible for having the required documents. Airline personnel will require proof of your identification. For foreign travel, you need a valid passport and perhaps a travel visa. Without them, you won’t be going.

With online reservations and e-tickets, do you need a travel document checklist? We think you do. There are some paper documents you just can’t travel without. Your passport is one. Your driver’s license or some sort of “acceptable identification document” is needed if you are traveling domestically.

So how does a travel document checklist help you? Well, it will remind you what documents to take with you and to take them with you. I can’t tell you how many stories we’ve heard about travelers saying, “I left my passport on the table at home. I have one. I just don’t have it with me.”

If you don’t have your passport or acceptable identification document with you, you are not going. Do you want your trip ruined because you forgot a travel document you needed.

There are other documents you should make sure you get or print and take with you. Here are our suggestions for your travel document checklist.

Visas

Many countries require that you obtain a visa before you enter the country. This may be physically stamped in your passport or, in some cases, done electronically. If you get your visa electronically (Australia, for one, does it this way) print out the confirmation so you have proof of receiving it. Either way, it’s your responsibility to have a visa if it’s required.

If your tour company is getting “visa clearances” for you, take your documentation to prove that. This was the documentation we had to provide when we entered Bhutan.

Paper Tickets

Most airline tickets are e-tickets, but paper tickets do still exist. You may have paper airline tickets if you are traveling on multiple carriers or if you’re traveling on small airlines to out-of-the-way places. You must take them with you.

Confirmation Numbers

If you’ve made your reservations online, it’s a good idea to print out your confirmation number and take it with you. Be sure you put the correct dates in and that you actually hit the purchase button. People goof up on this frequently.

Having confirmation documentation will help straighten things out if you can’t find your reservation at the ticket kiosk or at the hotel desk. This applies for airline flights, hotel reservations, tours, rental cars, and even ferries and trains.

Vouchers

If you’re taking a tour, you may receive vouchers in the mail for hotels, transfers and different parts of the tour. Take them with you. Check with your tour company to see if they issue vouchers. Some do and some don’t.

Some will have a representative meet you at your destination with your vouchers. Vouchers are not usually issued with big groups. Vouchers tend to be issued for small independent tours you set up for yourself.

Contact Numbers

Make sure you have local phone numbers for contacts or tour agencies you’re using. Interestingly, even in remote areas, the guides will probably have mobile phones so you can contact someone if something goes wrong.

Photo Copies

Make good photo copies of your passport. Leave a copy with friends or relatives and keep one with you in a secure place. If you ever lose your passport or have it stolen, this will make it much easier to replace.

Extra Passport Photos

Take extra passport size photos. If you need to apply for a visa upon entry to a country, you may need one or two. Extra photos are always good to have.

Emergency Numbers

Take a list of emergency phone numbers and numbers to call if your credit cards are stolen.

This checklist may not be complete, but you can use it as a basis to make up your own. If you’re planning a complicated itinerary on your own, or if you’re just taking a simple getaway, a travel document checklist will keep you from forgetting something you need and having your holiday derailed.

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If you plan ahead and gather together everything you will need to apply for a travel visa, getting one will go smoothly and so will your trip. Know your visa requirements and be sure that you have collected all of the information and documents you’ll need to apply for your visa.

Your travel agent may give you good advice on visa requirements, but it is ultimately your responsibility to obtain your visa, and to do that you need to gather the proper information. To find out what the procedure and requirements are for each country you want to visit, check with the Embassy of that country.

You can look up basic information on the internet. All governments have pages to help their citizens with information they’ll need for travel. Look on those government websites and the government sites from the countries you will be visiting to see what visa requirements are for visitors.

For example, the U.S. State Department site has information on what U.S. citizens need for visas, if you plan to visit China, it doesn’t mention a requirement about the passport needing to have 3 months validity after a visit ends. The Chinese Embassy site was where we found that information.

Allow plenty of time. If you are going to need visas, don’t wait until the last minute to see what you need to apply for a one. You may have to gather several documents together. You may need information from your bank or your travel agent. You may need visas for more than one country.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

* Does your passport need to be valid for three or six months after your visit ends?

* What are the photo requirements? Do you need a passport size photo or two?

* What is the applications fee?

* Can you pay the application fee with a credit card? A personal check? Or do you need cash? Or a Cashier’s Check from a bank?

* Do you need a letter of “invitation” from a travel agency or a personal recommendation or sponsor?

* Do you need a copy of round trip airline tickets?

* Do you need proof of “sufficient funds”?

* Do you need proof of a hotel reservation or some type of accommodation?

* Do you need a copy of your Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate?

* Will you be applying for a single entry or multiple entries into the country. You may think it’s only one trip, but if you pass through a county more than once while visiting multiple counties in a region, you may need a multiple entry visa which will almost always cost you more, but is worth it versus not having to work that out once you’re on the road.

You may also be asked other questions about your health and character and why you are visiting the country.

If you will be traveling on business, you may need a different type of visa than a casual tourist will.

This may not be a complete list of visa requirements, but these are some of the questions we’ve come across in our travels.

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We have some tips on getting a visa. The steps you need to follow will depend on whether you need to get the visa before you leave home or if you can get it at the airport on your arrival.

Sometimes you will be getting a visa when you enter a country, like Cambodia for example. This is pretty straight forward. You fill out your application on arrival. You should have photos and fees available as needed, and after you get through the bureaucratic line, you’re on your way.

Some counties require that you get a visa before you leave on your trip. This usually means that you need to get some sort of an official stamp or page glued into your passport. Some travel agents can help you get necessary visas. You can even hire a service to get visas for you for an additional fee. We’ve always gotten our own visas.

Getting a visa to come to the U.S can be long and involved, and from what we’ve heard, a little frustrating. Citizens from countries in the visa waiver program should have no problem visiting the U.S. We’re going to deal here with tips for getting a visa to other counties.

There are a few countries that are beginning to issue visas electronically. Australia, for instance, now grants visas electronically for eligible citizens of many countries.

Most countries still require you to fill out paperwork and submit it to the appropriate government agency before you leave on your trip. You can generally download a visa application from the internet. Go to a website for the Embassy or a Consulate of the country you want to visit.

If you need a visa, they should have a downloadable application along with all the rules and requirements. You can also contact the Embassy and have them mail you an application.

Once you have filled out the application and collected the documentation you need, you will then have to carry your passport, application, photos and fee to one of the appropriate government offices if you live near one. If you don’t have an Embassy or Consulate close to you, you will have to mail your passport with the application, fee, and photos to them.

Each country has it’s own rules and requirements. Check on the web or with an official representative to get the appropriate information. You will probably have to provide return postage as well. Read through all the rules and follow them and you shouldn’t have a problem getting a visa.

Allow plenty of time. If you live in or near a city with a Consulate, you can drop off your passport and application yourself and pick it up, sometimes later the same day or sometimes later in the week. Some Consulates will mail your passport back to you; some won’t. If you have to use the mail or an express delivery service, it will take longer. Just remember to send your passport as securely as possible.

Requirements may change from time to time, so even if you think you know what the requirements are because you checked years ago, check again. You don’t want to ruin a trip because you didn’t get the visa!

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If you haven’t traveled much to other countries, you may well ask, what is a visa? The more adventurous you get with your travels, the more you need to know about documentation. You’re getting ready for an adventure trip. You have your passport. Then someone tells you you might need a visa! A visa is just one more little piece of the travel puzzle but nothing to worry about.

What is a visa?

A visa or travel visa is a document giving permission from the country you are going to visit for you to enter the country. The country collects information about you. They want to make sure you’re one of the good guys. If you are, then they’ll issue a visa to visit for a limited amount of time.

Visas come in different forms. There are tourist visas, student visas, business visas, work visas and immigrations visas among others. The one related to travel is the tourist visa. Even tourist visas may be for single or multiple entry.

Where does a visa go?

Visas in all their different forms go in those blank pages in your passport. In some instances they may be issued separately, and you will have to carry these documents with you.

Where do you get a visa?

You may get a visa at the airport on your arrival in the country, or you may need to visit an Embassy or Consulate before you leave home. If you don’t live near an Embassy or Consulate, you may need to mail your passport with your application to an Embassy or Consulate.

Do you always need a visa?

Many countries do not require a visa for entry if you are only going to visit on vacation for less than 30 to 90 days, depending on your nationality.

Some counties require a visa, but the visa can be obtained upon entry. This requires you to fill out paperwork on arrival in the country. It may require passport size photos and a fee payable right there on the spot and payment may need to be in cash. Check ahead to see if you will need local currency, US dollars or Euros. It may surprise you. When we visited Cambodia, everyone had to pay for their visas in US dollars.

Some counties require you to obtain a visa in your passport before your departure. It may be just an official stamp, or it may be a specially glued in page in your passport.

A visa does not absolutely guarantee you will get into a country. Whether you are allowed into the country is always subject to the permission of an immigration official when you enter, and visas can be revoked at anytime if you do something illegal or offensive.

If you’re an honest traveler, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting a visa or getting into the country you’d like to visit.

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Who needs a passport? The short answer is: if you are going to travel internationally, you do. But of course, nothing is ever quite that simple. A passport is a travel document issued by your home country that allows you to leave and return. Citizens of all countries need a passport to travel out of their country and into another, but there are exceptions. Children traveling with you need passports too, even infants.

For instance, citizens in the European Union countries do not need a passport to travel from one country in the EU into another. US citizens and others often do not need to show a passport to travel between countries in the EU either, but you need a passport to get into one of the European Union countries in the first place.

If you are a US citizen, you will need a passport now more than ever. You have always needed one to fly to Europe, Asia and other continents. Now you need one to fly to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It used to be that to get into Canada, Mexico and most of the Islands of the Caribbean all you needed was your birth certificate and proof of identity like your driver’s license. September 11, 2001 changed all that.

To cross the borders into Canada and Mexico by land or by sea, that is driving or cruising, you currently need a passport, a passport card or a WHTI-compliant document. Or you need a government-issued Photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

WHTI stands for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. There is a whole list of rules about what a WHTI-compliant document is. If you think you qualify for one of these, you’d better check the rules at the US Department of State to be sure.

Starting in July 2008, the US government began issuing US Passport Cards. These wallet-size cards are convenient and less expensive, but they can not be used for international air travel.

Each traveler’s documents must be current and valid. They can not be used if they have expired. In fact, depending on the rules of the country you are traveling to, they might have to be valid for 3 to 6 months after you return from your trip. That means they can’t expire for several months after your return.

It is up to you to make sure you have the proper documentation. You should not take the word of the airline you’re traveling with, the TSA or a travel agent. They can all give you advice, but if any of them is misinformed, it’s your trip that will be delayed or ruined.

It can be confusing, and the best advice is to check with the US Department of State or your local government agency. The very best advice is this: If you’re going to travel anywhere outside of the borders of the United States or your home country, just get a passport.

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ATMs have become more and more common all around the world. If you are planning to travel to another country, you should check the tourist information website for the country you’re going to visit to make sure you can use an ATM there. Most often these cash machines will be the best way to change money.

Make sure to check with your bank before you go. Most foreign cash machines use 4 digit pins and use numbers not letters. You want to make sure your card will work abroad, and you want to alert your bank where you will be using it. If your bank suspects an unusual transaction, they could freeze your card. Banks do this to protect against fraud, so make them aware of your travel plans.

It is a good idea to take two cards from different banks. This gives you a backup in case a machine can’t read one of your cards or in case one gets demagnetized. If you run into one ATM that won’t recognize your card, try another one down the street. You’ll probably get your money unless there’s a real problem with your card.

ATMs around the world work pretty much like the ones you’re used to at home, but there may be some extra steps like choosing the language you want to deal in. You put your card and pin in, choose your language, then follow the prompts.

Money is usually only available in the local currency, so figure out the exchange rate ahead of time and calculate how much you want to get. You can get the exchange rate before you leave by checking online at a currency converter like OANDA. In the airport Arrivals Hall, there will almost always be a bank as well as a cash machine. The bank will have conversion rates posted so you can check before you use the machine.

ATMs in some countries give you high denomination bills. You’re going to need small denomination bills sooner or later, so it’s a good idea to go to a bank as soon as you can and get smaller change. If the banks are closed, ask your hotel to change at least one high denomination bill into smaller ones.

Your ATM card has a cash limit per day, and you can’t exceed that. Some foreign banks may may have a maximum withdrawal that is smaller than you want. You will be charged a fee, so it pays to take out $200-$300 at a time instead of $20 each time you need a little. Tell the ATM how much you want. If it won’t or can’t give you that amount, you might want to find another ATM so you can save on fees.

It’s better to use your ATM card or Debit Card rather than a credit card. If you do use a credit card, it is considered a cash advance, and you will be charged even higher fees.

If at all possible, try to find ATMs that are in an enclosed area instead of open on the street. If you must use one on the street, make sure it appears safe. Be alert and aware of your surroundings just as you would when using ATMs at home. Once you get your money, put it away as soon as you can, preferably in a money belt or another safe place.

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Many people wonder if they should travel with credit cards or leave them at home. Definitely plan to take credit cards with you when you travel, even when you travel abroad. Notifying your card company isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to protect yourself and ensure that you can use your card on your trip.

It’s a good idea to let your card companies or bank know when and where you’ll be traveling. With identity theft being such a problem these days, your credit card companies may grow suspicious if they see an unusual spending pattern. For example, if they see some charges in Paris when you live in Cleveland, they might block charges on your card to protect you from fraud.

Travel with only a couple of charge cards and your ATM card. You don’t want to have a lot of cards at risk, but you do want to have more than one type of card. It’s a good idea because if something happens and one card can’t be used, you’ll have a backup. If two of you are traveling as a couple, consider carrying different credit cards. This will give you even more options.

Some places only take Visa; some only take MasterCard. Pick one or two of each and leave the rest at home. American Express may say “Don’t leave home without it,” but there are many places that won’t take their card. It’s a good card to have, but it’s also good to know its limitations.

If you plan to rent a car, sometimes car rental companies will put a large charge on your card at the beginning as a deposit, which leaves you with less on your credit line. Your backup cards will ensure you always can use a card. You do want to charge the car on a card that will cover collision damage waiver. That will save you money.

Credit card companies have started adding international transaction fees. Visa and MasterCard have charged a 1% fee for years, but now some banks that issue the card also tack on a 1-2 percent foreign transaction fee in addition to that. Find out what your bank or credit card companies charge before you use them. There are a handful of cards which don’t charge any fees at all.

Don’t let foreign vendors charge the bill for you in dollars. It may seem like they are doing you a service, but you’ll probably end up paying more. The dollar amount you are charged may be at a crummy exchange rate (way worse than you’d get with your credit card or ATM), and you’re card company will still likely charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Credit cards are accepted in more places all the time, but there are still many small B&Bs, restaurants and shops that take only cash. In some less developed countries you may find you need to pay in cash most places. In some places if you want to pay with your credit card, they may add 3-5 percent onto your bill to make up for the fees that they are charged. So take a few credit cards when traveling, but change plenty of money so you are prepared to pay cash.

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When you’re packing and choosing your clothes, it pays to think about going through security at the airport as well as what you’ll be doing on your trip. What you wear and how you pack can make a difference as to how smoothly you go through airport security.

You need to decide if you’re going to carry everything on the plane or if you’ll be checking luggage. It will make a difference as to how you pack, and how you pack can make a difference going through security lines at the airport.

If you will be traveling with carry-on bags only, you need to prepare your one quart/one liter-sized, clear plastic zip-top bag. Have it ready ahead of time. You don’t want to be throwing out liquids at the checkpoint or trying to cram some 3 ounce/100ml bottles into a plastic bag at the last minute. All of your carry-on liquids, gels and creams must go into one bag, and they must all be 3 ounces/100ml or less.

If you will be checking luggage, you can put liquids into those bags. You are not limited to the 3 ounces or 100ml. You can take as much as you want.

Try to pack your carry-on bag in an orderly fashion. It may seem easiest to just throw everything into a backpack, but things that are jumbled up together are harder to make out on the x-ray screen, and that may cause you to be delayed at screening or even be pulled aside for an extra bag search.

If you’re planning to take a laptop computer or other large electronics, it’s safer to pack them in your carry-on bag. You’ll have to take these large electronic items out of your bag for screening unless you have one of the newly approved laptop bags that allows the computer to be screened without removing it. Check with airline or government websites for more information.

Small electronics such as iPods, cameras, curling irons and shavers can stay in your carry-on during screening. If you carry film for a camera, it will be fine to go through screening unless it is faster than 800 speed. You will have to ask for an officer to hand inspect fast film to avoid the x-ray.

If you’re carrying gifts, don’t wrap them until you get to your destination in case they need extra screening. You don’t want to have to wrap them twice.

Think about what you will wear, too. Anything you wear that has metal on it is apt to set off alarms. Leave heavy jewelry home or pack it in your carry-on bag. You may want to remove body jewlery for the flight. Even hair barrettes and clothing with big metal buttons can set off metal detectors that are very sensitive. You’ll get through security with any of these things eventually, but you’ll get through faster if you’re not wearing them. Also, be prepared to remove your shoes if asked to walk through the metal detector.

Have your boarding pass and identification readily available for the officers. Get to the airport early enough so you won’t be rushed. Know what airline cut-off times are for check in. You must generally check in earlier for international flights than for domestic flights. It can take a while to get through those security checkpoints even if you’ve packed and dressed for it, but planning ahead can certainly help it go smoother for you.

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Cancelled flights are a headache for everyone. Airlines don’t like to cancel. Cancelling a flight starts a whole domino effect, not just for your flight, but for flights down the line all through the day. Planes end up in the wrong places with crews that can’t fly them because of time regulations.

The most common reason a flight is cancelled is probably weather. Sometimes this is obvious, like if you’re sitting in the middle of a snow storm, and no one is moving anywhere. Sometimes it is not obvious. The bad weather might be occurring somewhere else. Maybe there are severe thunderstorms on the East Coast, and that’s where the flight is coming from. Maybe the flight is coming from sunny Florida but would have to fly through a hub in the middle of one of those storms. Maybe there is a sandstorm in the Sahara desert or a typhoon in Japan. Weather anywhere in the world can affect your flight if it is a long haul flight.

Another reason flights may be cancelled is mechanical problems. In this case, you certainly want the flight cancelled, but it’s hard not to feel frustrated anyway.

A flight could be cancelled because there have been delays, and now the crew has been waiting for too long. There are rules about when they can fly and when they can’t.

If your flight is cancelled, the second you hear that your plane is not going anywhere, call the airline’s toll-free number. It’s a smart idea to have it programed in your cell phone. Get into the line at the counter, especially if it’s fairly short, but make that call while you’re standing in line. There’s a good possibility you’ll get rebooked quicker on the phone than at the counter where a couple of overwhelmed airline employees are being swarmed by a plane full of disgruntled fliers.

Ask what your options are. It pays to have alternatives in mind before you get to the airport. Most of the time you won’t need to use the alternatives, but with cancelled flights, the sooner you can act on those alternatives, the more apt you are to get on your way while everyone else is still trying to figure out what to do.

Most airlines will rebook you with no fees or penalties on the next flight on which space is available. During holiday periods or really bad weather situations, this could be more than just a few hours. As you have seen in the news the last few years, you know it can even be days!

If the wait seems too long, ask the agent if there might be a seat on another airline. They are in competition, but airlines will often endorse your ticket to another carrier to try to get you on your way in a timely fashion.

If these things don’t work, suggest solving your flight problem by connecting through another city or going to another airport. Remember, all of these suggestions only work if your cancelled flight is pretty much an isolated situation. If all the airlines are canceling flights, as they must in bad weather, patience is the only thing that will help.

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