A little preparation considering your health will insure that you will have a more enjoyable trip. Here are some important tips to keep in mind before you travel. these tips cover not only your health, but your general well being and safety. These are dangerous times, especially for American tourists. Take precautions. Be healthy. Be safe.

Tip #1: Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you'll have when away from home. If you are going to the USA or Europe, take out unlimited health insurance, if you can afford it. Otherwise if ill times befall, you may also be facing bankruptcy! Consider purchasing trip insurance that includes protection for your property as well.

Tip #2: Become familiar with the type of diseases are common to the area you'll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases. Vaccinations and other medical precautions are needed for travel to some countries, and are easily obtained through your doctor. Have them well before you leave to allow time to recover from any side effects.

Tip #3: If you are on a prescription or you take a specific medicine, take enough away with you as you may not be able to get replacements overseas.

Tip #4: Always carry a doctor's certificate for any prescribed drugs so you don't have any problems at customs! Also, since foreign trade names are usually different from those used in the States, ask your doctor or pharmacist for the generic drug name rather than a brand name. Also, carry a prescription for your eyeglasses. In addition, your basic traveling medicine kit should include:

Tip #5: Keep medicines in their original labeled containers. To avoid problems when passing through customs, bring copies of your prescriptions and generic names for the drugs. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a particular drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first.

Tip #6: Medical Documents: Get a health report. If you have any special health problems, have your doctor prepare your medical history for the foreign doctor. It should include:

Tip #7: Learn about the country's regulations before you leave. The State Department offers Consular Information Sheets on every country of the world. They describe exit and entry requirements, health conditions, crime and security situations, currency regulations, political disturbances and areas of instability, special data about driving and road conditions, and drug penalties.

Tip #8: Safety begins when you pack. To avoid being a target, dress appropriately. Flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist. Travel light. Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your trip and plan a place or places to conceal them.

Tip #9: Secure important travel documents, cash and credit cards. They are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. However if you wish to carry them with you, conceal them in several places rather than putting them all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid using fanny packs, handbags and outside pockets. One of the safest places to carry valuables is in a pouch or money belt worn underneath your clothing.

Tip #10: Make photocopies of your travel documents. Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline ticket, driver's license, credit cards, and itinerary. Leave one set behind with a family member or friend; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables.

Tip #11: Secure and identify your luggage. Put your name, address and telephone number inside and outside of each piece of luggage, using covered luggage tags. Remember to lock your luggage and keep the keys concealed.

Tip #12: Observe local laws and customs. You are subject to the laws of the country where you are; therefore, learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs of the place you're visiting. Good resources are your local libraries, travel agents, the embassies, consulates or tourist bureaus.

Tip #13: Adhere to Travel Warnings. In addition to Consular Information Sheets, the U.S. State Department issues Public Announcements and Travel Warnings when there is a perceived threat usually involving Americans as a particular travel group.

Tip #14: Consider travel insurance. If your personal property insurance does not cover you for loss or theft abroad, or more importantly, if your health insurance doesn't cover you, consider purchasing a short-term health and emergency assistance policy designed for travelers. Also, make sure the plan you purchase includes medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.

Tip #15: Arrange your itinerary beforehand. As much as possible, plan to stay in a larger, more reputable hotel that has more elaborate security. Because take-off and landing are the most dangerous parts of a flight, book a non-stop flight when possible. When there is a choice of airport or airline, ask your travel agent about comparative safety records.

Tip #16: Consider getting a telephone calling card. If you have one, verify that you can use it from your overseas location. Access numbers to U.S. operators are published in many international newspapers. Find out your access number before you leave.

Tip #17: If you're on a special diet, notify your tour operator or cruise line in advance. some can accommodate you with special meals. Also remember to notify your airline of your need for kosher, vegetarian, or low-salt meals.

Tip #18: If you're diabetic, plan ahead and be prepared. See your physician or a diabetes professional before you travel, expecially if you are recently diagnosed or if you are an infrequent traveler.

Tip #19: 'No Jet Lag' tablets are very useful to keep you feeling 100% after a long-haul flight.