ABCs of Adventure Travel

A – Address peel and stick labels for all your family and friends before you go. Then stick to postcards along the way and you'll come home looking good.


B – Bottled water is a must – don't drink anything else.


C – Cookbooks from your travels are always a great souvenir. Cook a dish from one when you have friends over to see your video and pictures


D – Digital cameras save the day; their small and you never run out of film


E – Expect excitement; go with anticipation, not trepidation


F – Food is fun, try something you've never eaten before like zebra pate or Australian wine


G – Give generous tips, especially in poor countries, you'll be so glad you did


H – Hang out with the locals. Get to know a new person on your trip and get a photo with them


I – Inform someone at home of your itinerary


J – Journal every day. Can you remember now what you did last week?


K – Kids love it when you have packed little surprises to open along the way


L – Learn something: Take a pasta making course in Italy, Scuba diving in Argentina or Belly dancing in Bagdad (just kidding)!


N – Note the local artisans and buy something authentic


O – One substantial souvenir is better than a lot of small things. Then ship it home to lighten your luggage


P – Postcards will rescue you when your photography fails. You can never have too many


Q – Questions help you get the most out of all you see and experience.


R – Read before you leave. Read lots of books about your destination. Find out who the local best sellers are, and read one of their books.


S – Scrapbook within the first week of getting home


T – Travel as light as humanly possible. Dragging luggage is no fun.


U – Unpack as soon as you get home.


V – Vaccinations and certain medications are necessary in some countries – be sure to check with the World Health Organization about what you need.


W – Whining never fixes anything – buck up and deal with the differences


X – exchange your currency at the airport or a bank and be sure you understand the value of your money


Y – You are the one who will make or break your adventure. Plan to be positive


Z – Zero in on one or two experiences and squeeze the most out of them. Adventure overload will leave you confused.