International Travel Tips for Writers!

By Debby Giusti

One week ago today, I was sitting in the Dublin Airport, praying that my flight home to Atlanta would take off. Gale force winds had shut down the airport and the flight crew had only an hour or so left before they timed out, which meant they wouldn’t be able to fly until the next day. My husband and I, along with our tour group, had gotten up at 4:45 AM and bused to the airport for two lengthy security screens, one from the Irish authorities and the other from the US folks. The two countries have an agreement where US citizens go through customs and dual security screenings before boarding their planes…all of which took three hours of standing in lines and navigating security. The thought of having to find lodging for the night and then retrace our steps the next day through security and customs made us eager for the wind to die down and the plane to take off. A few of us on the same Shades of Ireland tour gathered in a fairly private spot and prayed for just that. As you may have guessed, God answered our prayers. The wind calmed, and we took off with just a few minutes to spare before our crew timed out.  

Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin

Interior of Saint Patrick's Cathedral

A stone that covered the well where
Saint Patrick baptised so many.

Which brings me to my topic, international travel for writers. If you’re planning to research a foreign setting for your current work in progress or if you’re mulling over the idea of writing a story set outside the United States, an international trip might be in your foreseeable future. I’m not a travel expert or a tour guide, but my husband and I lived in Germany for three years and traveled through most of Europe, usually accompanied by our three young children. We’ve returned to Germany a number of times since then, and for the last eight years, we’ve taken a yearly trip outside the US, with the Emerald Isle being our most recent destination.

A delightful Celtic quartet entertained us the first night with
Irish music and dancing. They played old instruments by ear and
were talented and upbeat. 

A lovely eatery in Kilkenny on the River Nore. My maiden
name was Willoughby so I had to take a photo.

For me, packing is always the biggest challenge. In the month prior to our tour, I checked the weather in Ireland everyday to get an idea of what to expect. In September, Ireland should have been mid- to low-50s in the daytime with drops into the low-40s at night. Also, daily rain showers were forecast, but Mother Nature can be fickle, and we were blessed with warmer than normal temperatures and only a couple light drizzles of rain. Savvy travelers know to layer their clothing, and when traveling in Ireland, expect rain. We had water-proof jackets, umbrellas and ponchos. Vests, cardigan sweaters and light fleece, zipped-front sweatshirts/pullovers provided warmth when needed. We each took two pairs of shoes. I included scarfs to add warmth and color to my outfits.  

Replica of a Viking ship like the ones that first landed in
Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland.

One of three lakes in Killarney National Park in County Kerry.
The park covers 1,750 acres.

My husband rolls his clothing, but I pack my things in extra-large zip-locked bags and squeeze out the air so they almost become vacuum sealed. That way the plastic bags can be shuffled around in the suitcase, if I’m looking for something, without wrinkling the clothing. One of my favorite travel gadgets is a hand-held suitcase scale. Most airlines have a 50 pound limit on checked luggage with steep charges for any overages. I always weigh my bag, and if over the limit, I switch heavier items, like shoes, to my carry-on bag.

Photo of a small Irish town taken from our bus. Winters
are drab and dreary so stores are often painted in
bright colors.

Ducks on the side of the lake.

Medication should be packed in their original containers for easy identification by TSA and should be kept in carry-on luggage in case your main suitcase goes missing. Larger toiletries can be packed in your shipped luggage, but liquids and gels carried on board the plane must be in no more than 3.4 ounce (100 ml) containers and placed together into one quart-size zip-locked plastic bag that TSA wants to see when you go through security. Knowing luggage can go missing, I always include an extra outfit and sleepwear in my carry-on bag as well as anything I might need for that first overnight stay. Laptops and tablets needed to be placed separately on the security conveyor belt, along with your shoes (don’t forget to wear socks so you don’t have to walk barefoot), jackets, sweaters and outerwear, belts, jewelry, watches and anything in your pockets. I take off my jewelry and watch and place them in my purse before arriving at security.

Breathtaking scenery as we traveled the Ring of Kerry.
Notice the sheep grazing in the pasture.

We watched a border collie round up sheep
grazing on the mountainside. The sheep huddle together in fear
of the collie, thinking she is a wolf.

Our flight to Ireland was more than 8 hours long and over nine hours on our return. My husband and I both had aisle seats across from each other, which provide a bit more leg room. We got up often, drank lots of water and took an aspirin at the start of our trip to help prevent blood clots. Some folks on the tour wore knee-high compression socks to keep their legs from swelling. My physical therapist daughter encouraged us to “pump” our feet frequently to help circulation.

The rugged Atlantic coast on the Ring of Kerry. We
watched young boys jump off the cliffs into the frigid
water. A woman, presumably their mother, sat nearby,
eating her lunch.

Notice the white sand and clear water of the Atlantic.

Whether flying domestic or international, I carry Wet-Wipes and wipe down the seatbelt, arm rests, tray table and television viewing screen. I take my own earbuds so I can enjoy the in-flight music and/or shows even before the flight attendant passes out the complimentary earphones. Eye masks, blankets and pillows are also provided on long flights.

A "jaunty" or carriage ride through the park.
Queen Victoria visited Ireland in 1861 and
rode in a "jaunting car." She took the
idea back to England, along with the term,
"Go for a jaunt," which became popular
in Victorian times.

International travelers must show their passports frequently in the airport. I have a pouch that hangs around my neck and is large enough for my passport. I wear that neck pouch while flying, and later transfer my passport to a money belt I wear around my waist. This trip, I also used a writer’s conference name badge to carry some cash and credit cards around my neck and kept a change purse in my pocket for coins and smaller bills. FYI, make a copy of the photo page of your passport and give one to someone remaining in the US, give another copy to a traveling companion and keep one in your suitcase in case your passport is stolen. We also made copies of credit card international phone contact numbers.

An old Franciscan Monastery in Killarney.

Saint John's Castle on the far side of the River Shannon,
in Limerick.

ATMs are readily available in foreign countries, but a charge for each transaction is added to your withdrawal. US dollars can be exchanged for Euros in foreign banks. The airports have exchange kiosks and most hotels can exchange money, although the rate of exchange is usually not as good as banks provide. I always order foreign currency from my local bank in the US (for a $5 charge) so I don’t have to worry about exchanging money during my travels. Most foreign vendors accept US credit cards for purchases. In years past, an additional fee was added to international transactions, but most credit card companies have discontinued that practice.

We attended a Medieval Banquet in this
Limerick Castle.

Guess who were selected to be the
King and Queen of Leinster?

Keep all receipts and ask about the country’s VAT tax system. In Ireland, I received a VAT card and had that swiped for each purchase I made so I didn’t have to pay their in-country sales tax. Before flying home, I had to fill out paperwork at the VAT kiosk located at the airport to confirm that I was leaving their country.

We were fortunate to have clear skies when we toured
the 700-foot-high Cliffs of Moher with cinematic views
of the Atlantic. 

When living in Germany, we always traveled on our own. I was the trip planner and navigator—and often the translator—and my husband was the driver.  These days, we enjoy going on tours with a group from church. The in-country tour guides provide an abundance of information and are willing to answer additional questions via email long after our tour ends. They also know how to skirt the crowds and get us to our destinations without hassle or frustration. Bell stewards transport the checked luggage to and from the bus, and most times, our rooms are ready upon arrival. Breakfast is included each morning at the hotel. Usually lunch is on-your-own with dinners being a mix of pre-paid and on-your-own. The tour guide offers dining suggestions and reservations if needed.

The watch tower overlooking the Cliffs of Moher.
The day was blustery and cold. I stood in
the open arched doorway to the right and was
nearly blown away.

I take notes in a small composition book when we travel, like the ones I give away at conferences, and then type the information into a computer file when I get home. Photos are a great way to remember where we’ve been, and snapshots of historical markers and informational signs provide added details as well. I also make note of the guide’s speech patterns and colloquial idioms that would add depth to any characters I might create from that particular location for a future story.

An authentic Irish cottage with thatched roof.

Just as in Europe, Ireland and the UK have a 220 volt electrical current so adapters are needed for electronic items. (NOTE: Different countries have different plug configurations.) You can find adapters at various big box stores or luggage shops. I’ve found a good selection at TJ Maxx. For this trip, I bought an adapter with two USB ports so my husband and I could charge our phones at the same time. (BTW, most tour buses have Wi-Fi and charging stations.) Almost all the hotels we stayed at in Ireland had special US sockets in the bathroom marked for “shavers only.” I have a hair dryer that can convert from US to 220 volts/international and use that when I travel, although on this trip the hotels all had hair dryers in the rooms. I charge my iPad and iPhone with an adapter. Small point and shoot cameras use an adapter. If you take a laptop or have a high-tech camera, check with the manufacturer about international usage. A couple of our cheaper adapters didn’t work so I advise taking more than one…just in case.

A quaint roadside church.

European hotels usually do not provide washcloths, although some of the hotels in Ireland did. Each room had a hot water pot to make coffee. One room had an espresso machine. Warming racks dry the towels in the bathrooms. Be careful, the pipes get very hot. Often the showers only had a partial glass “curtain” and the floors were slippery when wet. Toilettes have a dual flush system, one button for “light” needs and a stronger flush for “heavier” needs. Some of the bathrooms in various tourist areas had unisex stalls with men and women sharing the same facilities.

So many spectacular views as we traveled across Ireland.

We could drink the water in Ireland and had no restrictions on any food items…and the food was delicious. Lots of wonderful fish; salmon is one of their staples. The typical breakfasts included eggs, country ham that they call bacon, sausage, blood pudding, mushrooms, baked tomatoes, sometimes salad, fruit, yogurt, and breads and rolls. We opted for light lunches and often had homemade soup--my favorite was the seafood chowder—served with brown bread. Dinner was always a beautifully served three- or four-course meal, consisting of soup or salad and bread, a main course of meat, potatoes and vegetables, and dessert.

Blarney Castle. We weren't able to
kiss the Blarney Stone due to the
long line of tourists and the two hour wait to
climb to the top of the castle. Folklore claims
that being in close proximity to the stone
provides the gift of eloquence even to those
who are unable to kiss the stone.

Before traveling out of the US, notify your credit card company about your travel dates and destination. Check with your phone service about international plans. My AT&T provider offered a $10/day international package with unlimited text and phone calls and charges accrued only on the days used. I took that plan, but never used it and relied instead on “Whats App,” a free download that provides free phone calls, face time and text, including sending pictures, to anyone, anywhere in the world as long as they are in the system. My family members downloaded “Whats App” onto their phones, and we talked each day. I sent photos via text and noted where we were and what we had seen, which provided a running commentary of our travels. The only restriction was that my phone had to be hooked into Wi-Fi before I could call or send texts.

We spent our last night at Cabra Castle, in Kingscourt.
The castle dates back to 1760 and is surrounded by
88 acres of gardens and parkland.

One of the dining rooms in Cabra Castle.

I am so grateful to have been able to tour Ireland. The people were warm and welcoming, and the countryside was breathtakingly beautiful. International travel is exciting and educational, especially for writers researching various foreign destinations. If Ireland is on your bucket list, I hope the information I provided might be of help when you travel to the Emerald Isle or any another international destination. Please add your own travel tips or ask any questions that I might not have covered. Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for Amish Christmas Secrets, the fourth and final book in my Amish Protectors series. Interestingly, there is an Amish community in Waterford, Ireland, that we didn't get to visit. We did see a Mennonite family in the Dublin airport.

So many castles dot the countryside. 

As they say in Ireland, "May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight." 

Happy traveling!

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS

By Debby Giusti

Safe Haven for the Holidays

The thrilling Amish Protectors conclusion

Leaving the nursing home where she works, Rosie Glick’s accosted

by a man demanding incriminating evidence her murdered boyfriend

stole—until Ezra Stoltz scares him off. Now with a killer dead set on

silencing the Amish single mother, Ezra must hide Rosie and her baby

to keep them safe. But can he expose a sinister conspiracy in time

to save the woman he secretly loves?

Pre-order here!