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Happy
Honeymoon: Tips for Stress-Free Travel Abroad
(ARA) -The
honeymoon is when you and your new spouse can finally relax and
recover from all the celebrations. You want your trip to be as
easy and stress-free as possible. But as vacation and business
travel rebounds, concern about stress continues to be a problem.
"Since
September 11, we are getting numerous calls asking for tips on
how to relieve stress while traveling abroad," says Dr. Myles
Druckman, medical director, International SOS, the world's
largest and leading provider of medical and security assistance.
"The key is
being well-prepared for your trip by becoming as knowledgeable
as possible about your destination," Dr. Druckman says. "Follow
the news on important events that may affect your trip. Learn
what is going on in the country you plan to visit."
At the most
basic level, Dr. Druckman advises that you acknowledge that
travel, especially abroad, is inherently stressful, even on a
pleasure trip. You're out of your element and routine; you may
have to deal with a foreign language. While this is exciting, it
naturally takes extra attention and energy.
Tips for
Planning a Foreign Honeymoon
Here are
several tips that can help:
1. Knowledge
is power.
Do some research on the places you plan to visit so you will
know what to expect. This will help eliminate the anxiety of
"what-if" running through your head.
2. Rest up
before you go
-- you'll enjoy your trip more and worry less if you are well
rested and energetic. If flying long distances, you might want
to stop over for a night or two along the way.
3. Before you
go,
make a copy of the opening page of your passport and
other important travel documents and keep them separate from the
actual documents when you travel. Then you won't panic if those
documents are lost or stolen.
4. Learn
basic phrases of the local language
-- you'll feel more in control.
5. Stay
connected to friends and family
through periodic e-mails or telephone calls -- it will help keep
you from feeling isolated. Make certain to provide them with
your itinerary with contact numbers at the hotels where you'll
be staying. You should also bring your cellular phone or
purchase a satellite phone just in case.
6. If music
relaxes you, make certain that you take your favorite CD's or tapes along -- you may not be able to find your
favorite titles or artists overseas. Bring along a transistor
radio so you can listen to the BBC or other English language
stations.
7. Learn some
deep breathing exercises
or other relaxation techniques that are easy to do.
8. Exercising
can also help you relax.
Before booking your hotels, find out what facilities or access
to health clubs they have. If you prefer, there are exercises
that can be done on the floor in your hotel room. Consider
bringing along a jump rope or other easy-to-pack exercise
product.
9. Try to
blend in
-- avoid wearing obvious U.S. symbols such as U.S. team sports
shirts. Sample the local culture and take note of and follow
local customs, so you won't feel like you're sticking out from
the crowd.
10. Make sure
you have a resource for medical and personal safety assistance
lined up,
such as SOS Global Traveler assistance services, which provide
telephone access 24/7 to Western doctors. That way should you
need help, you'll always know who to call.
International
SOS provides emergency assistance services around the world
including medical evacuation and repatriation and access to SOS
doctors for advice and help. It provides services to 60 per cent
of America's Fortune 500 companies and performs more than 12,000
evacuation cases per year (that's more than one an hour, every
hour, somewhere in the world). Membership can be purchased for
short-term trips or annual plans. A Members Only portal on the
International SOS Website provides travel health and safety
information you can use to prepare for your trip. You can
purchase SOS membership through your travel agent, by visiting
SOS online at
www.internationalsos.com or calling (800)-523-8662.
Courtesy
of ARA Content
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