Traveling around the world, jet-setting from country to country, chatting about international culture with new friends -- it all sounds very glamorous. In reality, your low-cost trip around the world will probably resemble mine: trembling on a low-cost airliner over Morocco, puking in a millet field in Togo, and having your bank account frozen for "suspicious behavior" in China. It may not be glamorous, but my trip around the world was certainly memorable.

Travel Tip 1

Credit/debit cards: Call your bank and alert them of your plans. Nothing is worse than standing at an ATM with a frozen bank account.

Although my voyage started in the good ol' USA, the trip became interesting after leaving Western Europe. As the culture so closely resembles American culture, Western Europe is an easy transition for novice travelers. I probably should have known better as I boarded the half-empty jetliner headed for Morocco.

The plane shuddered as it left the runway at Charles de Gaulle. Because the long flight came with a meal, I hadn't eaten all day, awaiting my free food. As the plane rocked violently through strong turbulence, the attendants brought us our Mediterranean in-flight meal. "At least I'm not terrified AND hungry," I thought. Somehow the plane landed, and my adventure in Africa began.

Travel Tip 2

Before boarding for your trip around the world, get prepared. Check with the State Department for all required visas and medical screenings. Some countries will require a yellow fever vaccination upon entry; others may strongly encourage anti-malarial medication during your stay. Research your countries and be sure you have all necessary documentation to complete your voyage.

As I trekked through West Africa, curiosity got the best of me. I consumed street food after street food. I drank a local hibiscus drink with a group of village women. I puked repeatedly in a millet field.

Travel Tip 3 Hope for the best, but expect the worst. Check with your health insurance carrier and plan for medical coverage overseas. Traveling to new parts of the world exposes your immune system to all sorts of new parasites and bacteria. Even if you never get sick, eating food on the other side of the planet could cause some rumbling in your digestive track. Be prepared if you catch something. The last thing you want from your trip is a stack of medical bills.

I started to feel better and decided to continue my trip in Asia. Standing in Thailand, I quickly realized I needed to find a place to withdraw money. I ventured from ATM to ATM without luck. As fear and panic began to wash over me, an American spotted my troubles and directed me to a bank.

Excerpt from:

Around the World in 3 Months: Travel Tips