Take water on the plane: a simple request to a stewardess could turn into a nightmare of thirst. Generally, water is safe to drink in all the hotels and restaurant you will be traveling to. However, there are some doubts to some of the fountains in Rome . If in doubt , bring some tincture of iodine 2%

Take a thermos on the bus: use the complementary tea and coffee from the room or buy instant cocoa from the rest stops.

Take nutrition bars: Balance bars or Powerbars aren't as tasty as the local cuisine, but they're handy when the prices rise.

Take a zippered bag for the bus and a compressible drawstring bag for the towns: Everything you think you need will begin to overwhelm you. Simple visits last only a few hours and extra deodorant, bug spray and umbrella really can weigh you down.

If your day-pack is zippered, consider a safety pin as opposed to a pad lock for security. Pad/combination locks can become a bother and soon enough will be tossed. Safety pins require two hands-pick pockets usually won't bother.

Split your grooming needs: instead of one large tube of toothpaste- take two smaller travel ones. This way if you leave it behind, or someone else doesn't return it, you don't have to pay $ 7 for toothpaste. (Dental care is a luxury in some countries)

Buy a cheap wrist watch with Indiglo and alarm ($7-Wal-Mart) as a backup. Wake up calls and travel alarms don't always work. PLAN A, B & C may take a little extra effort- but you watch how many people wish they had planned ahead!

While money belts are the safest way to carry cash, sticking your hand up your shirt/down your pants to retrieve it can be less than classy. Anything tethered or chained is the second best way to go. I ended up using a simple ziplock type baggy. The clear plastic allowed me to see the contents quickly.

Don't take a towel: all the hotels we stayed in had towels. DO take the hotel towel to the beach: or you can rent one there for $2

Smokers: Don't plan on quitting while abroad. Cigarettes are cheaper than water in some places and much easier to purchase than food. TOBAC shops are on every other street in most cities, though some bars and pubs sell ciggs along with their booze. A regret on my own experience would be to take better care to clean up after my filters: An empty film canister is small and great for carrying butts.

Tipping: along with dinners, about half the restrooms-- 'toilettes' required tips for the janitorial staff. Some even had built in tolls. As far as food goes, watch out, some places include gratuity right in the total- don't tip twice. Do however realize you determine the service fate of those next in line. Please be fare.

Postcards are great souvenirs to send home for your scrap book. Unfortunately, postage must be stamped in the same country it is purchased in. If you want the postage to match the card you can't procrastinate.

Advances from locals with 'ideas': The sensible approach is to ignore anybody who approaches you in the street be firm, polite and accompany your firm 'no thank you' (in the local dialect if you can) with a smile. After that don't make eye contact, don't keep saying 'no' or get angry. Remember- silence is golden!