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Be a Smart Traveler

I'm in Israel. My sunglasses broke on the plane ride there. In a country where I saw gleaming desert everywhere I looked, I desperately bargained with the shopkeeper for a new pair of shades. It finally came down to five dollars or twenty shekels. Which was more in my interest? No matter what country you are visiting, it is important to be a well-informed 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. I knew that there are more than four shekels to the dollar, so although twenty shekels is roughly five dollars, it's really less. I gladly chose the option to pay in Israeli money. 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. Happy trails!

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