Phone Home

Get carded. Get a phone card that you can use to phone from your destination(s) back home. Be sure that the card works in the country that you'll be using it in. Make sure you have the local access codes that you'll need to use the card. If you plan to use payphones, make sure your card works with payphones.

Get the number right. OK, this is pretty common sense, right? Well, maybe not. Do you know what code is needed to call your home country? Do you know what code is needed to call out of the country you are visiting? I didn't think so! To get it all straight (and to print out before you go), check out International Dialing Codes

Tell them to wait. When I travel, my family and friends know that I'm adventuring and don't expect me to call frequently, if at all. Of course, they expect a call when I return so they know that I made it back. Don't give your loved ones unrealistic expectations of your calling frequency if you're going to be busy having a good time!

Get the time right. Do you really want to wake up Uncle Jack at 3a.m. to tell him about this great pub you just visited? Or might you want to wait until a more convenient time? To check time zones, try this site: Visit the World Clock

Call from your cell! No, I don't mean from your jail cell. Try to avoid that. I mean from your cell phone. Or a cell phone. If you can use your cell phone at your destination, and that is becoming more and more possible with the newer phones, then call your cell carrier and find out what you have to do to make and receive calls while on your trip. Some countries have very different systems, but you can rent a cell phone if you plan to make a lot of calls . . . or need to be available. Be sure to check coverage maps against your itinerary.