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

[TNHarley]

Is this a booty call?

That wasnt the initial reason, but im hoping it will be involved. lol

 

[Captain Creeper]

That wasnt the initial reason, but im hoping it will be involved. lol

 

[dblack]

That wasnt the initial reason, but im hoping it will be involved. lol

 

[Natural Citizen]

That wasnt the initial reason, but im hoping it will be involved. lol

Man, that's what the southern hemisphere is for.

Gonna have to get you up to speed about world travel when you get back.

I'm not a fan of Europe at all, but, hey, who cares what I think.

I'll say this, though. And this is something that I learned a long time ago. A lot of times, in fact most of the time, the places they tell Americans to avoid are often the coolest places to go and actually very safe. What I came around to concluding is that they don't want to ruin the bad image they've impressed about a specific area upon the foreigners who come into the country.

But..that's just me. Don't do what I do. Especially if you're traveling with family.

But anyway. I hope you have fun regardless. I think that more people, especially Americans, would benefit from seeing the rest of the world.

Be sure to let your bank know that you're traveling abroad and tell them where you're going before hand. I say this only since you mention it's your first time out of the states. I got froze once so it happens. Only thing I use abroad these days is my American Express and then whatever currency I exchange.

And one of the first things I do is set up an esim card for my phone.

 

[Bitterhook]

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.

I am going to have to double down on John's comments about the water.
Bottled water is usually safe but use it even when brushing your teeth.

 

[Hellbilly]

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

No offense, dude.

He’s white. He’ll be fine

 

[JohnDB]

Having had a brush with Portuguese while in Brazil....

Don't try. You will be insulting either of yourself or the person you are trying to talk to.

Your gender as well as the sex of the nouns and verbs you are using are all relevant when forming a sentence.

Abreegadoe for men to say thanks.
Abreegadah for women to say thanks.

Use the wrong one and you just became transgendered.

But don't sweat the small stuff....usually someone will be near and able to translate... and in SMALL towns people tend to be extremely honest....unlike many middle east cities.

Also...
Look specifically for a credit card that will work in Portugal. Your American one likely will not. They are for sale and available online. And it's a great way to hide your actual cash available to you.

Kinda like a venmo type deal but international. Sure, your local bank says your card will work....and when you go to try it at a local restaurant watch that be not true....as it likely will only work at an international bank.

 

[TNHarley]

Man, that's what the southern hemisphere is for.

Gonna have to get you up to speed about world travel when you get back.

I'm not a fan of Europe at all, but, hey, who cares what I think.

I'll say this, though. And this is something that I learned a long time ago. A lot of times, in fact most of the time, the places they tell Americans to avoid are often the coolest places to go and actually very safe. What I came around to concluding is that they don't want to ruin the bad image they've impressed about a specific area upon the foreigners who come into the country.

But..that's just me. Don't do what I do. Especially if you're traveling with family.

But anyway. I hope you have fun regardless. I think that more people, especially Americans, would benefit from seeing the rest of the world.

Be sure to let your bank know that you're traveling abroad and tell them where you're going before hand. I say this only since you mention it's your first time out of the states. I got froze once so it happens. Only thing I use abroad these days is my American Express and then whatever currency I exchange.

I totally agree with that!

 

[TNHarley]

He’s white. He’ll be fine

*****, I am a jewish black asian. Im the total woke package.
Im for sure getting kidnapped, raped and eaten by the elite.

 

[TNHarley]

Also...
Look specifically for a credit card that will work in Portugal. Your American one likely will not. They are for sale and available online. And it's a great way to hide your actual cash available to you.

Kinda like a venmo type deal but international. Sure, your local bank says your card will work....and when you go to try it at a local restaurant watch that be not true....as it likely will only work at an international bank.

That is a very good idea. Thanks

 

[Bitterhook]

That is a very good idea. Thanks

On a lighter note, as the seasons warm festivals are more prevalent, and it is not uncommon that you can drive a few miles and find a pretty awesome little event going on somewhere. I mean in Europe they will throw a party if a tree blooms, a fish swims upstream or whatever.

 

[JohnDB]

That is a very good idea. Thanks

I'm just someone who has been there and done that.

I went to Slovakia....
The water was free from bacteria but often chemically or radiation contaminated.

And banking was tough....
We finally got a chance to get to a bank to get some euros. Because not all international cards are received the same. (We also were heading to Israel afterwards)

Since you are only going to Portugal this ought to make international card selection easier.
And try it out before you embarrass yourself at a restaurant. (Prices should be cheaper than USA but the dollar is devaluing vx the Euro)

When you come back to the USA with say something like $400 Euros leftover and want to turn it back into dollars your bank can do that but will charge a fee of some sort ($10-20 per exchange)

I always hang onto the coins for giving to kids I know.

 

[Hafar1014]

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.

There will be more checkpoints

 

[Natural Citizen]

That was an important point about making sure you have a working credit card and esim. I had edited my other thought to include that after you responded, so not sure if you saw that or not. Good that he mentioned that in a separate post.

As I'd mentioned, my bank froze my account once because I didn't let it know I was traveling.

 

[TNHarley]

There will be more checkpoints

At the airport?

 

[toobfreak]

I plan on flying to Portugal later this year.

Do make a point of visiting Spain while there.

Anybody want to share some advice for traveling abroad?
What about airlines? The cheapest is with american airlines.

Never skimp on an international flight. Flying across an ocean is not the place to be looking to cut corners.

I flew to England in 2023, I went first class. It was expensive but I had the time of my life.

 

[Hellbilly]

*****, I am a jewish black asian.

Yeah. And I’m the Pope

 

[Hafar1014]

At the airport?

You have passport control and youll be doing the same thing a few times. Then customs. When you get to Portugal. I havent been there I go to the UK every year. They have a machine you put our passport on a plate and it matches your picture to your face. Longer slower lines as there are few more checks.

 

[Bitterhook]

Yeah. And I’m the Pope

Get Well Soon.

 

[TNHarley]

Yeah. And I’m the Pope

commie