Wherever people are gathered and the conversation shifts to bucket lists and plans, invariably, the topic of world travel comes up. It can be enthralling and inspiring to listen to friends and co-workers discuss distant countries they have visited.

In high school and college I was never an exchange student, and except for a couple of cruises I have never left the continental United States. But, oh wow! Yes, ma’am! I want to see the world! What do I need to consider to plan my first international trip?

If you’re like me and haven’t traveled to as many places as you would like, travel does not need to be a blue-sky goal. It’s still in the early stages, but I am planning to travel abroad. I wondered if it is that much different from traveling in the U.S.? Since I’ve never traveled internationally I had no idea where to begin, but I have had a blast finding out how to get started. There is a great deal to consider. Along with practical to-dos I have found, I am also sharing some introspective points to ponder while planning global travel.

• Ask yourself why you want to travel. What exactly is it you want to experience while you are away from your home? Set your intention before you plan and make sure it is at the forefront of your plans. The longer the term of your plans, the more important it is to remember your intention, so you can revisit the original spark that inspired the plan.  
• Be strategic about deciding who you want to travel with. If your best friend is the type of person who drives to anywhere more than a block and half a way, he may not be the best traveling companion on a trip to explore ruins reachable only by hiking. Meanwhile, others have had a good time traveling in a group and it can be very fulfilling to experience the trip of a lifetime with friends and loved ones.
• Are you considering traveling alone? Maybe it’s because of the book Eat, Pray, Love, but doesn’t it seem as if more and more women are traveling solo? Though nothing is without risks, encountering new cultures and getting out of your comfort zone could give you a sense of accomplishment.
• Group tours are a way to ease into global travel. There are tour organizers that attend to many details, freeing you to enjoy the location. There are organizers whose niche is providing unforgettable international experiences for African-American women and by all accounts it is quite powerful to see parts of the world with a group that is open to experiences in a whole new setting.
• Reflect on the things that honestly engage you as you research destinations. Although your sister rode a camel through a desert, you may be too much of a wimp for such escapades. Or not. It’s your time. What do you want to do? Do you feel called to walk the same grounds on which your ancestors may have walked? Would you like to run with the bulls in Pamplona? Do you want to  stroll through cherry blossoms at their peak?
• Once you settle on the place you want to visit, check the State Department’s travel advisory website to get a sense of known risks and to determine how comfortable you are with them.
• Hit up the library to pore over guidebooks. Research as much as you can about a country you’re considering visiting, including its culture and practices. Determine if the weather, holiday schedule and peak tourist times might affect the timing of your visit in light of  the things you want to do.
• Years ago, I read an excellent piece of advice from motivational speaker Brian Tracy that essentially said that if English is not the is not the predominant language of one’s travel destination it is important to always learn how to say “Thank you” and “Please” in the spoken language. Not just because it’s good manners, but people will appreciate the efforts of visitors who have taken the effort to learn even the most basic phrases to communicate courtesy in the language of that country.
• Research the financial and time investment needed to take the trip. After assessing the costs, commit to a plan to fund the voyage. If needed, start stockpiling time off from work and put in for time off as soon as you can to avoid surprises. If you are using a travel company, determine how far in advance you should start making reservations and exactly when all monies are due. It couldn’t hurt to ask if there are any savings for paying everything up front or in cash.   

There are so many corners of this planet to explore and so many, many people to connect with. Even though I’m deeply in love with the Pacific Northwest, I’m ready to go farther afield to see other shores and to find out what’s over other mountains. More people from the United States are venturing beyond U.S. borders for travel. If it can be done, I can do it too! Right now I have one daughter who is bound for college soon and one already in, so travel is probably in the very distant future for me. I’ll be providing updates as I learn more and make plans.

Photo by pdell via Morguefile.