-slip on shoes for getting through airport security easily.
-carry-on bag that has (minimum) 2 outer slip pockets for easy access to: a) boarding pass/ticket/ID, and b) petty cash in an envelope for any airport purchases (food, etc).

- start adjusting to your destination time zone well in advance. They say it takes a day per hour of change to completely adjust, so if you are heading east, start getting up/go to bed 3 hours earlier, 3 days ahead for a 3 time zone change. Even if you are going to further, this partial change can make a big difference, especially if you are doing any work when you get there.
- similarly, think in the new time zone…set your watch as soon as you get on the plane, eat (if possible) at proper times for your destination and never think about how tired you are because the time at home is “x” o’clock. And, above all, don’t go to bed at an odd time the day you arrive just because you are too tired/not tired enough.
- compile hardcopies of all your confirmation numbers, photocopy of your passport (in Europe, you are required to have your passport with you at all times in many places), maps of where your destination hotels are (taxi drivers may mistake your pronunciation, even in english speaking countries)…better to show them the name and location.
- ask others for recommended hotels, restaurants and unique destinations
- enter all of your hotel, restaurant and any other phone numbers you can think of for your destination into your cell phone before you leave home so you have them handy. Also, enter your credit card company, bank, doctor, travel agent phone numbers in case of emergencies. Keep your credit card number stored somewhere other than your wallet in case you lose it.
- if you go to certain foreign destinations on a regular basis, don’t always exchange your currency back when you return. You can spend a lot of money changing currencies. Also, keep enough to at least get you from the airport to the hotel, especially if you tend to arrive at odd hours when an instant teller machine isn’t handy and currency exchange booths are closed.

Pepto bismol pills; amazing what stomach ailments those little suckers will cure. I never travel overseas without them.

Chocolate sauce or some other sweet sauce; to hide the taste of malaria pills for the kids

Ipod; loaded with not yet seen videos & stories, for those long layovers. It’s a guaranteed magnet for other kid travelers too.

Glow sticks. They’re a fun, cheap, kid friendly night light. We used ours lately while camping in the Sahara desert.

My doctor & dentist’s emergency phone numbers. This came in handy while in Morocco. I carry antibiotics with me but couldn’t figure out the dosage for the tooth problem my son had. One quick call, got the ratio & all was well.

A sense of adventure; expect it. From camel wrestling and mystic dancing to chasing an ostrich on safari (kids got ‘tired’ looking at lions, the bird was more interesting) and watching momma hippos play with their babies in the ocean in the wild, it’s a whole new perspective on how we are as a family.

#1 tip: just do it. There’s so many excuses not to & so many reasons to.