Before you get into the fun part of doing research for a trip you must start with the basics.

Unless you are traveling domestically, you will probably require a passport. If you already have one, check to see when it expires. Most countries won’t let you in if the expiration date is less than six months away. Whether you need a new passport or just need yours renewed, make sure you allow yourself enough time to get it done.

Find out if any country you will be visiting requires that you have a visa. Not all countries offer visas on arrival, so make sure you will be equipped to gain entry.

Pre-Cautions

Check the Travel Advice and Advisories page, the Government of Canada’s official source of destination-specific travel information. You will find important advice to help you make informed decisions and travel safely while you are abroad. No matter where you plan to travel check it twice: once when you are planning your trip, and again shortly before you leave. Safety and security conditions may change between the date you book your travel and your departure date.

Travel Advice and Advisories will not only provide you with local safety and security conditions, it will also tell you areas to avoid. You can learn about local law and culture. Possible health hazards and health restrictions are identified. You will become aware of natural hazards and climate. Most importantly, you will learn when to find help while you are traveling abroad. You will also be able to learn the entry and exit requirements of any country you may be visiting. In some countries you will be charged substantial fees that are not covered by airline tickets. Be prepared.

US Citizens can register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you are traveling or living abroad this free service allows you to receive the latest security updates. When you register, the information you provide will enable the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. are having difficulty contacting you with urgent news while you’re traveling, the information in STEP can be used to try and reach you.

Health issues

Obtain country-specific vaccinations. All immunizations must be recorded and presented on an official International Certificate of Vaccination.

If you are on medication or require any for travel purposes, ensure you have enough to last throughout the duration of your trip. Carry a copy of your prescription for added security. If you are undergoing any special treatment, consider carrying a scanned copy of your records or a letter from your doctor detailing your treatment.

Is there a medical center close to where you will be staying, just in case? Visit a travel clinic beforehand and talk to a doctor or nurse about where you’re going

Get Travel Insurance

It can’t be said too often. It could save your life, and with so many online providers there’s no reason not to get it.

Whether your luggage is lost, you end up in a political coup or natural disaster, or you need to go to the hospital while on the road, travel insurance will reimburse your expenses. If you’re robbed, travel insurance will provide you with the security you need.

If the very worst happens and you end up losing your life, good travel insurance will allow your family to bring your body home without paying tens of thousands of dollars and getting wrapped up in mountains of red tape.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you shouldn’t be traveling in the first place.

Be sure to examine prospective travel insurance policies in depth, because they might not cover your personal situation. Many insurance plans won’t cover certain adventure sports or specific countries or regions. Most plans will only cover a fraction of the value of your electronics.

Forewarned is forearmed

Make sure your credit card has a chip and will work in the country you’ll be visiting. Tell your bank when you’re traveling, so that when purchases are being made, they are not assumed to be fraudulent, causing use of your card to be suspended. Add the card’s customer service number to your contact list, just in case.

Research the currency of any country you will be visiting. Familiarize yourself with exchange rates and consider bringing a currency converter of some kind. Plan to carry a backup credit card, a debit card and perhaps even some travelers’ checks. If possible, obtain a small amount of currency from your destination country before you leave home so that you can pay for transportation to your hotel or cruise ship and one meal without having to find an ATM, bank or bureau de change right away.

Find out what you can bring home from abroad without paying duty and taxes. In Canada, for example, if you have been outside the country for at least 48 hours you can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes. You must have the goods with you when you enter Canada. If you exceed your personal exemption you will be charged a special duty rate of 7% on the next CAN$300-worth of goods. You will also be required to pay any Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that applies.  So, something that looked like a bargain when you purchased it may prove to be very costly if doing so resulted in you exceeding the limit. The app Simply Declare is very useful in keeping track of your purchases and their value in your country’s currency.

Use of Electronics

Find out whether you will need a power converter and/or plug adapters in your destination country. In Europe, for example, you will need a converter to “step down” the local 220-volt electrical current to 110 volts in order to use your hair dryer, and you will also need a plug adapter so that you can plug in your hairdryer and device chargers. Read the fine print on all your chargers, electronic devices, and small appliances. Some will automatically convert the power for you, while others will require a separate converter. This is also a good time to make sure you have the chargers you will need for your telephone, camera, tablet and laptop computer.

Research apps you can use to download books and articles, movies, music, and podcasts which you can later read, watch, and listen to offline. Consider Amazon’s Kindle app; Google Podcasts; Pocket. Also learn about streaming apps such as Spotify, YouTube and Netflix which offer the option to download content on their mobile apps.

You should consider downloading useful apps which, although they cannot be used offline are helpful to travelers, including Simply Declare, Currency, and Gas Buddy. Check to see if they might be useful to you.

Language and culture

Duolingo is a free, easy to use app that will teach you almost any language. Use it to learn a few words and phrases in the language of your destination country. “Please,” “Thank you,” “May I?” “Where is (perhaps with ‘bathroom’),” “Help,” “Yes,” and “No” are the most important phrases to learn. If you have food allergies, you should also memorize the words for the foods you cannot eat, and you should carry a card with those words written out under the word for “no.” If you struggle with foreign languages, consider bringing a phrasebook on your trip.

Use the internet to find out about the etiquette, customs, and clothing of your destination countries. Clothing that seems appropriate everywhere you have traveled might be completely inappropriate in certain places or in religious buildings on your upcoming itinerary. Eating with your left hand may be considered the height of rudeness. Learn the polite way to begin conversations and business transactions. Knowing how to offer proper greetings will ensure that you receive good service in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

Hit the ground running

Consider things like how you’re going to get around once you’ve arrived at your destination, assuming you did not drive there. Can you simply walk to most places? Are there taxis or Uber? Is there a train or bus service? Will you need to pre-purchase any transportation passes online?

If you need a rental car, booking online in advance will almost always get you a better deal than if you just show up at the counter. And it’s easier and quicker. The last thing you want to do after a long flight is deal with rental car companies at the airport and negotiate a deal.

The quickest way to compare rental companies is to use a website like RentalCars.com that searches all the major car brands at once and checks which supplier offers the best prices for your chosen dates and location. Ask your credit card company or your current vehicle insurance provider if they offer coverage for damage to a rental car.

Check the exact location of the car rental agency, to determine where it is in relation to the airport, and how to get there and back.

Be prepared

Learn how to obtain an International Driving Permit. You may never need to show it, but many countries require you to carry it.

Check to learn if you should bring your E-Z Pass tag with you. Whatever electronic toll collection system you use at home might also be valid on the toll roads in the place you’re visiting.

Decide how you will navigate in your destination countries. Some travelers prefer paper maps, while others use GPS units. Travel guidebooks and smartphone apps are also useful. Choose those that can be accessed offline and download them before you leave home. For example, to download a location’s maps offline, launch Google Maps on your phone and search for the place you’re headed to. In its information card, you’ll find an option labeled Download. Hit that, select the area to download, and tap Download again to save it.

It’s even possible to check bus and train schedules without data. All you need is the Transit app. You can follow routes in real-time and plan trips through any means of transportation. Transit functions in a handful of countries including the US, New Zealand, and the UK.

Make a list of free things to do in the places you’ll be visiting, best walks, city tours, and day trips. Then move on to researching your destinations in greater detail.