So, I plan on leaving the country for the first time

[TNHarley]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.
Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.
I have flown american and southwest domestically and didnt have any problems. But those were much shorter trips.

 

[task0778]

Some of us are probably wondering if you're coming back.

No offense, dude.

 

[TNHarley]

Some of us are probably wondering if you're coming back.

No offense, dude.

Hell, I might move there. I have connections in lisbon.
Or were you talking about some hostel type shit?

 

[task0778]

Nah, I just wanted to give you a ration. I have been to Europe when I was in the USAF, but that was like almost 40 years ago and things have changed a bit. We traveled around quite bit, never had any trouble but these days, I dunno. There's probably places you shouldn't go.

 

[Captain Creeper]

A lot of folks take the offramp to Portugal. You should go ahead and make arrangements with an international carrier to get your guns over there. Obviously, you cannot fly with them. There are procedures, but it is cheaper to put them with someone like DHS.

 

[Zincwarrior]

Noise cancelling headphones.
Did you check your passport to make sure it will be more than six months away from expiring?

Don't worry, there will be plenty of babies on the flights.

 

[evenflow1969]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.
Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.
I have flown american and southwest domestically and didnt have any problems. But those were much shorter trips.

Wish I could help you. I have been to other countries but had nothing to do with the travel plans. My tickets came with my orders. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Thinker101]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.
Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.
I have flown american and southwest domestically and didnt have any problems. But those were much shorter trips.

Keep in mind, their laws (whichever country), are not the same as our laws.

 

[Invisibleflash]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.
Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.
I have flown american and southwest domestically and didnt have any problems. But those were much shorter trips.

 

[dblack]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.
Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.
I have flown american and southwest domestically and didnt have any problems. But those were much shorter trips.

So, I don't suppose this is "advice". Just a reflection on my initial travels abroad (that didn't happen until I was in my forties). First of all - keep a mental list of the things that are different (from your usual home base), and the things that are the same. It might surprise you.

Second - I don't know if it was the state of mind I was in at the time, or a common effect of traveling to other countries, but I found my attitude toward "dumb laws" and social customs changed while I was there. I saw irrational legal requirements and the like, that would have infuriated me in own country, as mere curiosities. I guess I felt less responsibility for it, and thus less need to judge.

Anyway - I envy you on your "maiden voyage". Are you going to stay for a while? Are you doing mostly touristy things? I've always had the urge (that runs counter to my g/f's agenda) to try to get a feel for how ordinary people in another country live -- eg. I was usually more interested in going to a local strip mall, than the famous museum. Both are fun, but seeing how people go about their daily lives (and seeing the differences and similarities to our own routines) was always the most interesting to me.

 

[TNHarley]

Nah, I just wanted to give you a ration. I have been to Europe when I was in the USAF, but that was like almost 40 years ago and things have changed a bit. We traveled around quite bit, never had any trouble but these days, I dunno. There's probably places you shouldn't go.

I am meeting someone from there.

 

[TNHarley]

So, I don't suppose this is "advice". Just a reflection on my initial travels abroad (that didn't happen until I was in my forties). First of all - keep a mental list of the things that are different (from your usual home base), and the things that are the same. It might surprise you.

Second - I don't know if it was the state of mind I was in at the time, or a common effect of traveling to other countries, but I found my attitude toward "dumb laws" and social customs changed while I was there. I saw irrational legal requirements and the like, that would have infuriated me in own country, as mere curiosities. I guess I felt less responsibility for it, and thus less need to judge.

Anyway - I envy you on your "maiden voyage". Are you going to stay for a while? Are you doing mostly touristy things? I've always had the urge (that runs counter to my g/f's agenda) to try to get a feel for how ordinary people in another country live -- eg. I was usually more interested in going to a local strip mall, than the famous museum. Both are fun, but seeing how people go about their daily lives (and seeing the differences and similarities to our own routines) was always the most interesting to me.

I am going to stay for a week or 2. Im not sure yet. My friends are talking about maybe going to paris as well. So who knows lol.
I am sure its going to be night and day vs here at home. But we will be doing typical vacation stuff. Like we are going to rent a house on the coast, sight-see, bar hop etc.
As far as the laws go, im not too worried about it. I wont be doing anything crazy, and if i do something wrong, they will let me know.
Im super excited! Thanks for the post.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?

 

[TNHarley]

I have thought about arriving to the lisbon airport in a trump 2028 shirt. But im scared they wont let me leave the airport

 

[Bitterhook]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.
Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.
I have flown american and southwest domestically and didnt have any problems. But those were much shorter trips.

Beaches in Portugal are topless should one desire but pursuing inappropriate behavior while attending can get you busted if someone doesn't kick your ass first.

 

[JohnDB]

Medicine, a complete clothing change, and passport you should keep as carry on luggage at all times. Also a hidden 20 or 50...someplace other than your shoes.

Then....unless you are specifically told that it's OK for Americans you do not drink anything other than alcoholic beverages. Including tap water, OJ, or other fruit drinks. Especially when they come with ice. (Water, sodas, or tea can be clean but ice is usually contaminated...and not just with bacteria)

So go with cipro and pepto you bring with you. Not all "over the counter" medicine is available without prescription in drug stores there. (Many are but not all)

Don't go into the water without at least flip flops....preferably croks.

Portugal and Spain were once the chief sources for the silver denarius of the Roman Empire centuries before they understood lead and arsenic contamination. The Roman Empire forever changed the ecology of these nations centuries ago.

I don't even like Saffron from these places. (And I love Paella and olives)

Otherwise enjoy the local food...have fun with the sights and culture. Take lots of pictures....which is why bringing a teenager is sometimes helpful as us old farts often forget to do so.

 

[Bitterhook]

I am going to stay for a week or 2. Im not sure yet. My friends are talking about maybe going to paris as well. So who knows lol.
I am sure its going to be night and day vs here at home. But we will be doing typical vacation stuff. Like we are going to rent a house on the coast, sight-see, bar hop etc.
As far as the laws go, im not too worried about it. I wont be doing anything crazy, and if i do something wrong, they will let me know.
Im super excited! Thanks for the post.

You can skip Paris and find more enjoyable things to do just about anywhere else, but that is just my opinion.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is just a little bit farther from Lisbon than Paris, and you could get to visit Spain, France, Switzerland and Germany along the way.

 

[Captain Creeper]

I am meeting someone from there.

Is this a booty call?

 

[TNHarley]

Beaches in Portugal are topless should one desire but pursuing inappropriate behavior while attending can get you busted if someone doesn't kick your ass first.

I wont be groping anyone

 

[TNHarley]

You can skip Paris and find more enjoyable things to do just about anywhere else, but that is just my opinion.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is just a little bit farther from Lisbon than Paris, and you could get to visit Spain, France, Switzerland and Germany along the way.

Its not Paris. We were talking about visiting the Vosges mountains. A couple of the friends I am meeting are from there, and my buddy in Lisbon wants to visit them.