The Portland OASIS center has compiled these great tips from participants on OASIS trips.

Before You Leave

1. Make sure your passport is current. Some countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months after your return to the United States. Apply for new or renewed passports early - at least 3 months ahead of time. Applications are available from the U. S. Post Office or online from the U.S. State Department. You'll need a birth certificate, proof of identity, two recent 2 x 2 inch color photos and your completed application.

2. Guard your passport. Don't pack it in checked luggage or hand it over to unauthorized persons. Make a photocopy of the first page and keep it in a separate place. Copies of all your important documents - ID, credit cards etc. are a good idea. If you lose your passport on a trip, inform your tour leader immediately!

3. Check for visa information. Ask your tour agency or travel agent what the requirements are for your destination.

4. Gather health information. If shots are advised, get them before you leave. Take copies of medical information if you have special problems, the generic names of any drugs you take, and a copy of your eyeglass prescription. Plan ahead to take enough of your prescriptions and notify the tour agency if you're on a special diet. Diabetic travelers should discuss their needs prior to travel with their physician. Have a dental checkup before you leave. Take your own supply of aspirin, Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, insect repellent, and sunscreen as needed for the trip.

5. Prepare your home for your absence. Notify your neighbors and family when you are leaving and how long you'll be gone. Arrange for the care of your house, mail, lawn, garden, and plants. Automatic timers can give the impression that your house or apartment is lived in while you are gone. Leave an extra key with a neighbor.

6. Study up on your destinations. The more you know, the more interesting your trip will be. There are plenty of resources. Bookstores are loaded with travel guides, novels, and travel writings that will enhance your journey. The Internet is a great way to get lots of information ahead of time. Make photocopies of the pages from books that you can take with you. Thick travel guides add extra weight to your bag.

Packing Your Bags

1. Take an OASIS class on packing for travel. There are many proven ideas and new products that can help. Bags with wheels will spare your bag and shoulders. On OASIS tours, you can plan that your bags will be taken care of, but getting through customs counters, you are required to carry your own baggage.

2. Pack Light! To quote travel expert Rick Steves, "You can't travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two." Lay out the clothes for your journey and then cut the amount of clothing by at least a third. Plan for the weather and the locale. Small contingencies such as foldable umbrellas or light jackets with a hat are a good idea for most places. Dressing in layered knits makes it easy to be ready for climate changes and to look your best unwrinkled self. Tops that you can hand launder in your room and hang to dry mean that you don't need as many outfits. Underwear is also easy to wash. Bring a plastic bag for soiled clothing.

3. Bring comfortable walking shoes. If you purchase new ones for the trip, make sure you've worn them and walked at least 20 miles before the trip. For good measure, throw in some foot cushions from the drugstore. Bring nail clippers.

4. Don't forget sunglasses - for any destination, any time of year. Winter sun can be glaring.

5. Toiletries and small appliances. Many foreign hotels have blow hairdryers, soaps and shampoo, but not to the extent that U.S. hotels do. Many do not use face cloths, so bring one if you plan to use one. Plan to bring a converter for your electrical appliances. Bring small sizes of toiletries.

6. Handy health supplies. Take your own supply of aspirin, Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, insect repellent, and sunscreen as needed for the trip. If you are prone to weather-change induced sinus attacks, bring over-the-counter or prescribed medications so you'll enjoy the trip. If you or your roomate might have a snoring problem, "Breathe Right" strips can help you get your sleep.

7. All the luggage you need. Bring a small airplane carry-on tote. Put a bright colored marker or trinket on it so you can pick your tote out of a crowd. Remember to use this tote for your essentials while flying. On tour you can use it for small items you'll need during the day - camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. Your carry-on and your wheeled suitcase should be all the luggage you need. If you love to shop, bring a collapsible tote or dufflebag in your suitcase that you can stuff with your purchases on the way home.

8. Great ideas! Pack old clothes and underwear that you were planning to throw away after the trip and discard them as you use them. This saves having to wash or repack them.

On the Way

1. Jet lag is real. Try to minimize it by being smart. Ask for a pillow and blanket as soon as you board. Pack some cozy socks in your travel bag to slip on for a long flight. Resist the temptation to sleep as soon as you arrive at your foreign destination, unless it is the normal time for bed there. This will prevent you from waking at 3:00 a.m. ready to start your day. Drink lots of water on the plane! Avoiding alcohol, regulating your diet, and getting sun exposure also help conquer fatigue.

2. Staying healthy. Wearing a charcoal filter facemask on the plane can help purify the air you breathe and prevent a cold after you return home. Sharper Image sells a pendant that can be discreetly worn around the neck that does the same thing. Take Pepto Bismol before the trip to avoid stomachaches. To keep the blood moving, get up and walk around the cabin whenever you can, or do leg calisthenics.

3. Eye drops can refresh and keep eyes moist during the flight and later while on tour. Some doctors recommend "Refresh" available in single use vials or 15 oz. bottles.

4. Where's my bag? If an airline loses your luggage, complete the "lost baggage" report with the airline responsible for the loss - regardless of the inconvenience. This must be done before leaving the airport. If you are on an OASIS tour, your tour manager will help with this process. Be sure to secure the identification tags provided with the tour to each piece of luggage.

You've Arrived!

1. Get acquainted with your location. Once you are settled, ask the concierge for a map with your hotel location clearly marked. It is also a good idea to carry the name of your hotel in writing. In a foreign country, have a native speaker write it down for you, or take a matchbook with the hotel logo and identifying information.

2. Exchange most of your money overseas. The exchange rate is invariably better there than at home. Use travelers' checks and an ATM card. ATMs, or "cash machines," are widely available and can offer even better exchange rates than travelers' checks. Most international airports also have exchange counters open at all hours. If you want to be sure you have cash on hand, change a small amount (say, $50) before you leave. Once abroad, banks usually offer the best rate, much better than hotels or "exchange shops." Compare the fees for the exchange service - the rates are different for changing cash than travelers' checks. Change money, as needed, if visiting several countries. Many nations will not re-exchange. Take $25-$30 in American one dollar bills. You can use them almost anywhere for small items or for additional tipping.

3. Know some of the language. Bring a phrase book, or if you are on an organized tour, ask your tour manager for the basic courtesies: please, thank you, good morning, etc. No matter how widely English is spoken, it pays to learn a few basic words.

4. Keep a positive attitude. In most situations, having a positive travel experience is up to you. Annoying things may happen, but you can choose to focus on the wonderful aspects of the trip. Be open-minded, go with the flow, and don't be afraid to try new things. Did you really go to the expense and trouble of this wonderful adventure to have things be just the way they were at home?

5. Stay safe. Tourists anywhere can be targets of theft or harassment, especially if they stand out. Educate yourself to the local customs so you can blend in. On tour, there is safety in numbers - stay with the group. Keep cameras, jewelry, and other valuables out of sight - even in your hotel room. Put your passport, luggage key, and travelers' checks in a money belt under your clothing, but leave out a little spending money.

6. Shopping and shipping. Souvenirs can help you recall pleasant memories of your trip when you are back at home or be fun surprises for friends and family. Keep track of all your purchases, especially in other countries, so it will be easier to fill out customs forms. Get familiar with the local currency. Consider shipping your purchases home - it'll keep your travels light and avoid worries about theft or breakage. Using credit cards for larger purchases often means you will get the very best exchange rate.

7. Tipping. If you are on an organized tour, check your tour brochure to see whether tipping is included in the price you paid for the tour. It is customary to tip the tour manager at the end of your tour. Depending on the person's performance, $1-$3 per day per traveler is sufficient for an OASIS tour. In another country, check to what the tipping customs are. In some countries, the tip or service charge is part of your restaurant bill. Check with your tour manager or the concierge about local customs. In the U.S., tip as you would at home in a restaurant. In general, don't worry about whom to tip. If someone performs a service you appreciate, go ahead and tip.

8. Relax! Don't feel you have to see everything to get your money's worth. If your tour is cramming too many things in for your taste, sit some of them out - just be sure to let the tour manager know so the entire group isn't waiting for you. Remember, this is your vacation!

9. Taking photos. Photographs can make the best souvenirs and be the basis of a wonderful photo album. Bring plenty of film - it costs more overseas and you can get exactly what you want at home. Bring an extra set of batteries. When photographing religious sites in other countries or members of certain Native American cultures, be sure to ask permission first. Some subjects, especially in third world countries, may expect a little reward for their posing. Beware of airport x-ray machines. If you don't have a film-shield bag, hand your camera (if it's loaded) and film to the guard for a manual inspection.

10. Keep a Journal. Many folks like to capture memories of their trip in a lightweight travel journal. Record thoughts about your travels, compose an award-winning poem, and jot down the addresses of travelers you meet. Your notebook can include a copy of your itinerary, your sensational photos, a sample of currency, or a foreign newspaper article. Back home and in need of a break, you can take a mini-vacation by opening your journal and reliving your travels.

11. Kill two birds with one stone. Use your hand-laundered underwear and socks as washrags and get them really clean.

12. Germ patrol. Carry a small can of spray Lysol for germ control or to tackle unpleasant odors in hotel rooms.

13. Wrapping tips. Pack some bubble wrap in your luggage to wrap around delicate purchases. Use it to safeguard fragile items in your suitcase.

Home Again

1. Be ready for customs. As soon as you leave the plane, have your passport and any receipts for items purchased abroad handy. Know the regulations - generally each U.S. citizen may bring $400 worth of merchandise duty-free. Many items made from endangered wildlife are not permitted in the U.S. Don't bring home meats, fruits, vegetables or any goods made in Cuba.

2. What's Next? If you don't have a lot of time or money to travel as often as you like, be a tourist in your city. Pretend you are a visitor seeing things for the first time. Investigate neighborhoods that you don't usually frequent; check out a museum or stroll through a peaceful park. Don't forget to buy postcards or a souvenir!