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Being a Smart Traveler
No matter what destination you have choosen for your vacation or business trip,
it is important to be a well-informed traveler and thus smart traveler.
Strolling down the streets of Paris, you want to buy an Eiffel tower snow globe
for your little cousin. In Italy, you want to buy some wine (well, your parents
do). In Canada you want to buy a moose. Wherever you are and whatever your desire,
there are a few important points for you to remember if you plan to be the savvy
traveler you were meant to be:
Know the exchange rate. As a general rule, it's best
to pay in the money native to the country where you're visiting. You are likely
not to get the best exchange rate if you pay in American dollars. Furthermore,
it's a pain in the neck for shopkeepers to change your money into theirs so
they are more likely to round in their own favor.
Many credit cards work out of the country. Before leaving on your trip, give
your credit company a call. Assuming they will accept charges from outside of
the country, use your credit card for your expenses as often as possible. It
is important to keep track of how much money you have spent on the credit card,
but the electronic system ensures that you get the best exchange rate possible.
Some shops charge extra to use your card, so ask first.
Traveler checks are very useful because they cannot be stolen and used like
cash. They are not accepted everywhere but the vast majority of places accept
them. You can buy them at your local AAA store or talk to a travel agent. Store
the check numbers separately from the checks in case they are lost or stolen.
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