Foreign Travel/Air Travel:

- Keep your passport handy at all times. You'll need it several times at the airport and it's a good idea to carry it if you run into trouble (which thankfully we didn't). It will get you through the gates of any American embassy if an international incident or terrorist event takes place. As unlikely as that may be, with the airline liquid explosives plot occurring just a couple of months before we flew, anything is possible.

- If you carry a laptop, put it in it a small slip case you can carry outside of your carry-on. There are two reasons for this. The first is that you'll have to pull it out and have it checked out separately at security. You won't want to fumble inside your carry-on at that point. The second reason is any flights you take within the UK won't allow a full-sized carry-on bag in the cabin. The small case will allow you to carry the laptop with you. By using a slip case rather than a briefcase, you can fit it inside the carry-on at check in (where most airlines limit you to one carry-on bag). Once you get past check-in, you can remove the slip case from the carry-on bag where it will be ready to be checked.

- Be sure to place luggage tags on all your cases, even those you carry on. That way if you end up on a flight that doesn't allow carry-on luggage, your luggage will be properly marked.

- Place TSA locks on all your cases for the same reason as above. You can't lock your baggage with regular locks. TSA agents need to be able to open the lock with their keys or they'll cut it off during random checks. Don't lock your carry-on unless you end up having to check it, though. This will save time in security.

- Don't enter the metal detector until your carry-on items have entered the X-ray. This allows you to verify no one else handles your stuff except security personnel. In addition, no one will be able to pocket anything small like a cell phone from your stuff.

- This is an obvious one, but don't leave your bags unattended anywhere at the airport. If you don't have any traveling companions that can watch your stuff, take it with you. If you leave it unattended, it will be picked up by security and they don't mind if they damage it when checking it over.

- Don't use the front pockets on a standard carry-on bag except for very thin or small items. If anything is going to fail to allow your case to fit in the carry-on sizing cage, it'll be stuffing the front pockets.

- Carry your film in a separate package in your carry-on. If they'll do it, ask them to check it by hand rather than run it through the x-ray.

- When traveling out of the country, obtain an international cell phone. It will be invaluable when verifying reservations or when you need to get directions. They can be rented if you don't wish to purchase one. You may also be able to purchase an international SIM card if you have an unlocked phone. Another option may be purchasing a prepaid UK phone a company like Virgin Mobile.

- As of 11/26/2006, restrictions on liquids and gels are still in place for carry-ons. Here's the general guidelines for carry-on luggage. Be aware this isn't meant to be an official list and isn't guaranteed to be up to date:

- Items such as make-up, toothpaste, mouthwash, liquid soap, shampoo or other liquid/gel items can be carried on in containers less than 3oz in size. These must be placed in a 1 quart zipper bag and passed through security separately. Larger bags or those that are non-zipper type are not permitted. Only one bag is permitted per passenger.

- Beverages in excess of 3oz cannot pass through the security checkpoint. However, those items may be purchase in the lounges beyond the checkpoints and taken on the plane.

- Breast milk is permitted in carry-on, but must be accompanied by an infant.

- Medications may be taken on board, but must be placed in the same 1 quart plastic bag as the liquid and gel items.

- Flammable items are not permitted to be carried on, such as matches and lighters.

- Knives, guns or other weapons are prohibited as carry-on. However, small pairs of scissors, knitting needles and short screwdrivers are permitted.

- Electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, pagers, cameras and MP3 players are permitted, but the must be presented to security for inspection. In addition, their use on board the aircraft may be restricted by individual airlines. Finally, it's important to note that the pilot has the final say on what devices may be used on board regardless of other regulations that may be in place.

General Travel:

- Call your bank and any credit card companies about any cards you will be using while traveling. Let them know you will be out of town and when you'll be back. This will help prevent problems when using them. Take as few cards as possible, too. It's less to have stolen. A primary card and a backup should be fine, especially if one is a debit/credit card. You may wish to purchase a small amountof traveler's checks for emergencies, but unless you've had problems with your cards in the past, you should be fine.

- Hit the ATM to get foreign cash right when you arrive at the airport. The rates don't get any better, so you might as well do it up front. Take out enough to get you around places that don't take plastic, but use the cards whenever possible. That way you don't have to worry about ending up with a lot of extra cash you can't use elsewhere.

- Obtain local maps for anyplace you plan to visit. Road atlas books are good for between points, but a detailed maps will get you into, around and out of your destinations.

- Carry a pad of paper and a pen to write down information, especially things you'll want to remember after the trip is over. A highlighter can be helpful in keeping track of routes.

Photography:

- If you have a digital camera, take pictures of signs that indicate the name of the places you visit. It will help you later when sorting your photos.

- Digital pictures cost nothing to take, so take pictures of everything. Don't just snap one shot of your subject and run off to the next. Take a safety shot or take shots from other angles. This increases the odds you'll end up with a shot you'll be happy with. Professional photographers get those great shots by taking a lot of photos. Follow their lead and take plenty of your own. Cards are getting downright cheap, so buy another if you think you'll run out of space.

- Estimate the amount of film you think you'll need, then double it. It'll be much cheaper to buy it at your local discount retailer than in a tourist trap. In addition, film isn't available in the middle of nowhere when you may need it the most. You'll find you'll take more photos than you think.

- Take a compact tripod with you. No matter how steady you are, there are times when you need a tripod. In addition, it comes in handy for those group photos using the self timer on your camera. Just be careful the wind doesn't blow your camera over. It can blow quite strongly along the coastal areas.

Travel in Ireland and Scotland:

Money:

In Ireland, they use the Euro. They have both Euro cents and Euro "dollars". The cents get larger as the denomination increases (except for the 5 cent piece, for some reason, which is larger than the 10 cent piece). There are coins for 1 and 2 Euros. Higher amounts are bills.

In Northern Ireland and Scotland, they use pounds. The coins work in pairs as they work toward larger denominations. For example, you have 1 penny and 2 pence as a pair of round copper coins with smooth edges. 5 and 10 pence coins are round and silver with serrated edges. 20 and 50 pence are seven sided silver coins. Finally, 1 and 2 pound coins are thick and have writing on the serrated edges. Higher amounts are bills.

Northern Ireland has a mixed bag of money. There are pounds issued by individual banks along with bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland and Bank of England. If you plan to travel to Scotland after Northern Ireland, like we did, you'll need to use up anything that isn't Bank of Scotland or Bank of England or you'll be stuck with useless money.

Getting Around:

- Remember: Look right. Like England, they drive on the left, so make sure you look in the correct direction before pulling out onto a street or stepping off the curb. In addition, make sure you head for the correct side when turning onto a street.

- The driving lane is the left lane and passing (overtaking) is done on the right.

- If someone ahead of you senses you want to go faster, they'll make an effort to move to the left and get out of your way. Don't tailgate since it's considered very rude there. When there is a large shoulder, even large trucks will move onto it at highway speeds so you can pass in the driving lane. Likewise, if someone wants to pass, put your left signal on, slow down and move as far over as you can to show them they can pass you. When passing others in the oncoming traffic lane, leave your right signal on until you are finished passing. Then put on your left signal and move back in. It's common for motorists to pass several cars at a time, so keep an eye on your right-hand mirror for overtaking traffic.

- The roads are quite narrow and winding in many areas, but tend to have high speed limits. 100KPH (about 60MPH) is common. You may find yourself going faster than you would normally be comfortable with on a similar road in the states. Watch out for trucks that may be in your lane coming around corners.

- Ireland and Northern Ireland mark speed limits with Kilometers Per Hour. Scotland lists theirs in Miles Per Hour.

- Roundabouts (traffic circles or rotaries) are all over the place. Be prepared to go through many. At left is some video of us going through one. I chose this clip because we actually were trying to get turned around in the opposite direction. As a result, we went all the way around this one. It gives you a good oppurtunity to really see it. It also shows that the roundabouts make it easy to get turned around if you miss your junction. Of course, some of the confusing signs on them are the reason for missing your junction in the first place, so they're a mixed blessing.

- When in large cities, watch out for bus/taxi lanes. While it's all right to drive in some of them (just don't block the bus stops), watch out for the lanes blocked by bollards. They lower for buses and taxis, but pop right back up behind them. No matter how fast you move, you won't make it through. The rule of thumb: never follow a bus or a taxi. They may lead you into a raised bollard that will take out the lower portion of your car.

- The yellow light comes on for traffic just before green. This is meant to warn drivers they can proceed if its clear, but allows time for pedestrians to finish crossing. Cars tend not to sprint through the yellow lights, so it's best to avoid it yourself. In fact, pedestrians tend to use them to anticipate when it's time to cross. Just watch out for buses that might not be prepared to stop when you cross.

- The walk signals in the cities work very well. Use them, especially in those intersections with multiple spokes. There are often railings to funnel pedestrians toward the crosswalks.

- Doors mostly open inward in the UK. This is in contrast to buildings here where fire codes require they open outward.

- Parking in towns is usually done via "Pay and Display" kiosks. You pay in advance for the time you'll need at a central pay box, then place the ticket on your dash. Parking ramps require that you get a ticket upon entering, but pay at a central machine before going back to your car. I'm not sure what the time limit is between paying and exiting, though. You insert your paid ticket in the box at the ramp exit to show you've paid.

- The buses in Edinburgh run frequently and have multiple routes to get you nearly anywhere. You can stay on as long as you like for 1 pound. The rate increases to 2 pounds at night, but you can get on and off with the same ticket. If you plan to be in the city for a large amount of time, it may pay to get a ride card instead of paying per ride.

- Despite it's size, central Edinburgh is quite safe at night. I never felt concerned at any time carrying my camera or setting it up on a tripod for night photos. Neither did most anyone else who had them. People were very polite, but minded their own business.

- Insurance on rental cars doesn't work the same as it does here. Whatever damage occurs, you're responsible for the first $100 - even if it's a flat tire.

- The rental vehicles aren't always new with even the major rental outfits, though smaller cars often are. For example, our first van through Hertz was older and a bit beat up, but our van through Europcar was very new.

- Be prepared for unusual controls in your vehicle. Our first van had an odd push-button shift system located on the dash. It included buttons for Drive, Neutral and Reverse. There didn't seem to be a Park. Instead, the vehicle seemed to require it be in Neutral with the parking brake set when parked. The heating and cooling controls in the second van took some getting used to. We never did figure out how to properly work the radio. However, the hazard light switch is almost always an easy to find lit button on the dash.

- Get the smallest vehicle you can be comfortable in. You'll be happier manuevering on the tight roads and in the parking areas at most B & B's. In addition, gas runs the equivalent of around $4 a gallon there, measured in liters. Even when it's less than a pound per liter in Scotland, remember that 1 pound is worth nearly $2 American. Gas in Ireland was a little over a Euro per liter. The good news is, the cars are very fuel efficient. Even the large van in Ireland got excellent mileage.

- Your car will almost certainly be diesel. Be careful fueling up at places where both gas and diesel are offered. City diesel is the same as diesel.

Services:

- There is WiFi in most central areas of the cities. Any BT phone booth will offer access, as well as many buildings. You'll have to pay for BT Openzone or T-Mobile hotspot access. It usually runs about 6 pounds for 1 hour, 10 Pounds for 24 hours and 40 Pounds for 30 days.

- When out for dinner, go early. It gets hard to find places to eat after about 6PM unless you want expensive formal dining or American chains.

- Avoid the coffee in restaurants unless you're not picky. It's usually instant. Don't expect free refills on anything. It's pay per glass in most cases.

- Tipping isn't required in the UK. When accepted, it is only for excellent service. It's considered a reward, not an obligation. In some places, tips are not accepted. Unlike in the US, tips are not a necessary part of wait staff since they are paid salaries equivalent to other professions in that income range. You won't find tip jars at walk up places, either.

- Most restaurants are seat yourself. However, the service in larger cities can be slow, so be patient. Sometimes, the odd side rooms and dark corners of some restaurants conspire to hide you from being found by the staff right away.

- You have to ask for your bill. They will not bring it to you until you do so. Unlike in the US where they set it on the table before you finish eating, it's considered rude to do so in the UK. Unless it's close to closing time, they don't like you to feel rushed.

- Rooms in Bed and Breakfasts may not have bathrooms in them. If there is a bathroom within the room, it will be billed as "En Suite". If not, you'll have use of a shared bathroom outside the room.

- Unlike US hotels, you may not receive washcloths. In addition, you may not receive fresh towels every day. There may or may not be soap or shampoo provided.

- The bathroom light switches are usually outside the bathroom. In Scotland, the water heater is often a small unit within the shower that also contains the shower controls. This is an "on demand" hot water system that has no central tank. Be warned, though, the power switch for the unit is usually outside the bathroom along with the light switch. Keep it on the low setting, or you'll get erratic water temperatures as the unit tries to keep up. You'll still have plenty of hot water on low.

- While it's possible you may be able to work out better deals on your own, it's easier to go through CIE Tours. You can choose your own accommodations from among places that accept CIE vouchers. This means little or no need for credit cards for rooms. In Ireland, En Suite rooms are usually no extra charge. In Scotland, they are often extra.

Important Power Differences:

- Electricity is 220 volts at 50 cycles. This creates two problems. The first problem is obvious. You'll need a voltage converter to avoid frying your devices that don't convert power on their own. The second problem is with the cycles. While most devices will simply run slower, battery chargers may not work properly. Since newer batteries work on an internal clock, they may not realize they are being charged incorrectly. Some batteries may not charge at all. Since power converters only convert voltage, they won't help with the problem of cycles. If you'll need to charge batteries (such as AA's for a camera), pick up a world charger. They run about $35-$40.

- The plug arrangement in the UK is different, too. At the very least, you'll need an adapter for most devices, even if they work on dual power. The picture at right shows a typical UK outlet. Note the larger plugs and the power switch on the outlet itself. Most adapter or converter kits will include several adapters for various countries. The UK plug is the largest one, so it can't hurt to carry the other smaller adapters, too. It will keep them together and they take up little extra space.

- Voltage adapters work on two power settings: low and high. The low setting is for razors, trimmers and other low power devices. The high setting is for items like hair dryers and curling irons. Don't mix these settings up. Make sure the switch on the converter is in the right position for the device you are using or you could damage the device or the converter itself.

- Hair dryers, curling irons and other beauty products are tricky. While most Bed and Breakfast places we visited provided hair dryers in the room, you may still need your own at times. Your regular hair dryer may not work, though. The reason is the Ground Fault Indicator (GFI) plug. Since the power works on different cycles, it will usually trip the breaker in the GFI plug. As a result, you have two options: find an older hair dryer without a GFI plug or buy a world power hair dryer. My mother found an older hair dryer at a flea market for less than $1. It worked fine (and still does). Multi-power hair dryers can be found at an airport gift shop when you arrive in the UK if you can't get one from another source.

- As mentioned above, charging batteries can be a problem. As a result, you may wish to use alkaline batteries in any device that can accept them, like digital cameras. Bring plenty with you. I chose to use rechargable batteries for my camera, but took over a dozen of them with me already charged. You can also purchase a 220v battery charger for around $35. Be sure to top off razors and other rechargable devices before leaving for your trip.

- Computers convert power automatically, though desktop systems sometimes have a switch on the power supply you'll need to set. Laptops don't require anything extra other than a plug adapter to fit the outlet. They can convert any worldwide incoming power. Many camcorders can also convert the power on their own. Check your device transformer if you aren't sure. If it lists 110-240 (50-60hz) as an acceptable input, you're good to go.

- Some places provide a 110 volt plug in the bathroom. This for low power devices like razors, only. Don't try to run a hair dryer off it. In addition, some of the 110 outlets provided may not fit your plug. Plan on either using a battery powered device or a voltage converter.

- Before plugging a 12 volt device into your rental car lighter socket, be sure it is actually a 12 volt outlet. Some foreign cars use systems with other voltages (some are higher). It will usually tell you right on the outlet. Otherwise, pop the hood and look at the battery.

- The voltage converter I used is made by "Travelwise". I found it at Walmart when I was buying my carry-on bag. It's stocked in the luggage section with the locks, adapters and other accessories. DO NOT buy the converter they sell in the electronics section. It is garbage! It only works with certain wattage levels and has horrible reviews anywhere I've seen it. Buy the unit available in the luggage department. It provides a wider range of power conversion and is smaller, too. In that same section, you may also be able to find the "American Tourister" plug adapter I used for devices that converted power themselves. If not, I bought mine at Staples office supplies.

A few terms you might find useful:

Bap - Sandwich Roll
Banger - A large sausage in a casing (Bangers and Mash is a popular dish)
Black Pudding (or blood pudding) - A mixture of bread cubes, oatmeal, barley, beef fat and pigs blood that is baked. It is cut up and fried before serving.
Car Park - Parking Lot
Chemist - Pharmacist
Chips - French Fries
Close - Alley
Coach - Bus
Crisps - Potato Chips
Estate Car - Station Wagon
Gammon - Ham
Joint - Pot Roast
Lorry - Truck
Off-License - A liquor store or pub that sells alcohol that can be taken off premises.
On-License - A pub or other establishment that serves alcohol that must be consumed on premises.
Petrol - Gasoline
Porridge - Oatmeal
Rocket - Cheese
Roundabout - Traffic Circle
Saloon - Sedan
Spanner - Wrench
Terrace - A grouping of row houses
Traffic Calming - Reduced Speed Ahead
White Pudding - Same as black pudding without the blood
Works - Construction