7 Favorite Travel Books Worth Reading in 2017

I’ve been picking up a lot of random books in bookstores lately. This can often be hit or miss. I can’t count the times I’ve picked up books only to go “Well, that was terrible.” However, this current stretch has produced some wonderful books and, since it’s been a while since I’ve done a best-books round-up, I think it’s time again! I spend a lot of time on buses, trains, and planes and use that time to devour books so, without further ado, here are seven books worth your time:

All Over the Place by Geraldine DeRuiter

Geraldine, aka The Everywhereist, is a hilarious writer (and friend). This book chronicles her travels, anxieties, and relationship with her husband Rand (who is as cool as the book makes him out to be). It really is all over the place – but in a good way. Though I found the book to be less about travel and more about her relationship, it more than lived up to all my expectations. I’m a huge fan of Geraldine’s writing, wit, snark, and humor and this book delivered all of that. I mean who else can make a poop story so damn funny? If you love her blog, you’ll love this book. (And if you don’t know about her blog, well, read that too.) This book was wonderful and devoured it in a couple of sittings.
 

The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World by Torre DeRoche

I loved Torre’s first book, Love with a Chance of Drowning, about her cross-Pacific adventure with her then-boyfriend. I had the pleasure of getting an advance copy of her second book (and I loved it so much I even wrote a blurb for it!) Whereas the last book was an adventure into the world, this book is an adventure into the self. After meeting the lovely Masha at an event in NYC, Torre meets up with Masha in Europe, where they decide to walk the Via Francigena trail in Italy and then follow Gandhi’s walking route in India. Along the way, Torre encounters snakes, shamans, rude travelers, friendly strangers, and a universe seemingly trying to point her in the right direction. This book is just as fabulously well written and engaging as her first. I grew to love it more with every page — and I can’t recommend it enough.
 

Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett

Auckland Island, located 285 miles south of New Zealand, is a place with year-round freezing rain, wind, and little food (but apparently a lot of seals). Simply put, it’s not a place you want to get shipwrecked on. Yet in 1864, Captain Thomas Musgrave and his crew did just that — and a few months later, on the opposite side of the island, so did the crew of the Scottish ship Invercauld. This well-written account of the how the two crews survived (and didn’t survive) was a wonderful juxtaposition on leadership, camaraderie, and coming together in crisis. It’s not a long book. It took me a few days to read but it was compelling, captivating, and an excellent reminder of the importance of keeping one’s composure in a crisis.
 

Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant

As a big fan of the state of Mississippi, I was really keen to read this book. The state is an often-overlooked tourist destination with eccentric but wonderful people; beautiful parks, rivers, and swamps; stunning architecture; and a complex and rich history for history buffs like myself. In this book, English writer Richard Grant and his girlfriend move to rural Pluto, Mississippi, to live a better life, escape the big city, lower their cost of living, and try something new. They learn to hunt, garden, fend off wild animals, handle snakes, and befriend interesting characters along the way. Grant dives into the contradictions of this state — from race relations and class to education, food, family, and everything in between. This book was incredible, nails Mississippi, and is a must, must, must read.
 

The Palace of the Snow Queen: Winter Travels in Lapland by Barbara Sjoholm

Barbara Sjoholm set off one winter to explore this arctic region — then spent two more coming back and learning about it more. In the process, she unearths the region’s rich history and dives into the tension between tourism, mining, and land use. Her book dives deep into the Samis, local indigenous population and their struggle to maintain their culture in the modern era. As a lover of all things Scandinavian, it was really nice to read about an area and people of the region not often given the attention they deserve. As much as I thought I knew about this region, reading this book taught me a lot – and showed me how much I still had to learn. Well written and insightful, you should definitely pick up this book.
 

The Not-Quite States of America by Doug Mack

The United States of America is more than just 50 states. There’s also the non-states of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In this funny, detailed, fact-rich book, Doug Mack explores these territories largely forgotten by the rest of the country, which play a more important role in our country than we realize. I had the pleasure of listening to Doug talk about his book in NYC, and he’s a wealth of knowledge — just like his book! This one of those travel books that expands your mind about the place you don’t really know. In many ways it reminded me of The Geography of Bliss in its approach. If you liked that book, you’ll like this book too!
 

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah

Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Shah decides to buy a house in Casablanca. He moves his family from England in hopes of breaking out from the monotony of life in London as well as exposing his children to a more carefree childhood. I randomly picked this up in a bookstore and couldn’t put it down. Shah is an engrossing writer and I was glued to every word. While dealing with corruption, the local bureaucracy, thieves, gangsters, jinns causing havoc, and the hassle that seems to come with even the most simple interactions, Shah weaves a story that is simply one of the best I’ve read all year. It’s beautifully written and endlessly enthralling. You must go buy this book!

That’s all for today! Happy reading!

And if you’re a book junkie like I am, join our monthly book club where I send a list of the best books I’ve recently read. You’ll get a list of 3-5 suggested books sent once a month! It’s free to join! Just enter your name and email below to sign up:

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And if you have suggestions, leave them in the comments, as I’m always looking to add books to my Amazon queue that I’ll binge-buy when I’m drinking!

A Guide to Traveling with Technology

This is a guest post by travel tech guru Dave Dean of Too Many Adapters, a site devoted to technology for travelers. In this post, Dave breaks down the pros and cons of traveling with certain technology.

Wondering what to take on the road when it comes to electronics? You’re not the only one. Long gone are the days where a cassette player and film camera were the height of travel gadgetry. Walking into a hostel common room now, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had accidentally stumbled into the local electronics store. You’re likely to be surrounded by laptops and tablets, smartphones and DSLRs, and more softly glowing Apple logos than you can shake a stick at.

Often unsure of what they really need, people end up carrying a lot more tech gear on the road than they should. After several years of travel and working online though, I’ve figured out what works, what doesn’t, and what you really need.

Laptop

With the slow disappearance of Internet cafes in favor of Wi-Fi hotspots, a laptop is definitely worth considering. It’s the easiest method of staying in touch, backing up photos, and wasting time.

I use mine to work from the road, so I went for something relatively powerful, but for more typical use, a thin and light laptop like an Ultrabook (e.g., Asus Zenbook Prime) or a Macbook Air can provide everything you need at a lower weight and (potentially) cost. Things that matter include:

Size – Nothing larger than a 13” screen or that weighs much over 1kg, and less is definitely better. Consider the size and weight of the power adapter too. Those things can be huge!

Strength – Something made well that won’t fall to pieces the first time it gets knocked in your bag. Get a protective sleeve to prevent scratches and cushion minor bumps, and read the reviews of its durability.

Battery life – Five or six hours is the minimum, 8+ is much better if you plan to take long overnight buses or trains.

Storage space – Don’t skimp on the amount of storage you have. 128Gb really is the minimum, and more is much better. All those photos and downloaded movies take up more space than you think!

SD card slot – It’s not an absolute must, but having an SD card slot built into your laptop is very handy. Assuming your camera uses SD cards (most do), an built-in card reader makes copying your pictures super easy. All you do is insert the card and transfer!

Cost – The less you spend, the more money you have to spend at the bar, right? Not to mention the computer will be cheaper to insure and replace and less of a target for theft. Don’t spend much over $1000.

If your budget doesn’t stretch that far or your needs are more basic, you could go for a tablet instead. Older technology like netbooks could also do the job, although they’re becoming increasingly hard to find.

Tablet

If I didn’t work online, I’d ditch the laptop and carry a tablet computer instead. Smaller, lighter, cheaper, and with better battery life than a laptop, the most well-known example is Apple’s famous iPad (mini or full-size). While either of those will do the job for a traveler, the best value for money at the moment is in the Android range. A Google Nexus 7 or larger Nexus 10 would be my recommendation.

There’s a lot to be said for choosing a tablet if your main use is consumption (i.e., reading web pages, books, and emails, or watching movies) rather than creation (writing, editing video, etc.). Again, choose one with plenty of storage (either built-in or via microSD card).

To back up your photos, both Apple and Android devices let you plug in an external SD card reader, so pick one of those up as well.

If you have absolutely no other choice, you can also use the camera on your tablet to get that must-have shot. Just be aware you’ll look rather silly doing so.

Mobile phone

I carry a Samsung Galaxy S2. It has rapidly become an indispensable piece of travel technology, with all of my music, photos, apps, and entertainment stored on the microSD card, and it was both cheaper and easier to customize than the iPhone I used to use.

I made sure to buy the unlocked version of my phone, meaning that I can use a pre-paid SIM card anywhere in the world and take advantage of much cheaper calling and data rates. Your mobile company at home will charge incredibly high rates if you use your normal number overseas, making roaming calls and data prohibitively expensive for most travelers.

Switching to a local cell company when you arrive in a country can save you a small fortune. I personally know people who accidentally left data enabled when on vacation for a week and came home to a bill of several thousand dollars. If you can’t unlock your phone and absolutely have to use it while traveling, at least turn the data connection off to lessen the pain.

I use dozens of travel apps, but three of the best are:

• Skype: As a general rule, all of my international calls take place via Skype over Wi-Fi or 3G. It’s quick and easy, and buying a few bucks’ worth of SkypeCredit means I can call any phone in the world for hours.
• TripIt: I’ve tried all sorts of ways to keep track of travel bookings, but TripIt is the easiest. Many confirmation emails can simply be forwarded to add them to your list, and it doesn’t take long to manually add the others. With the Pro version, I even get notified of timetable changes and delays. Having every detail at my fingertips has saved me more than once at airport check-ins and bus stations around the world.
• Google Translate: Google just updated the Android version of its translation app, now letting me download language packs for offline use. Even before that, the app was handy for figuring out what on earth was on the menu, or saying/displaying a few words in the local language to get my point across. Now that I can use it anywhere, it’s indispensable.

E-book reader

I resisted buying an e-book reader for a long time. I’m a physical book kind of guy. But now that I’ve made the leap to a Kindle, I’m very pleased with it.

It’s incredibly small and light, more so than even a little paperback, and can store hundreds of books, travel guides, and whatever else I might need. I picked up the Keyboard 3G, which costs more than the Wi-Fi–only version, but the ability to download new books from anywhere with cell phone coverage is invaluable.

An unexpected benefit lies hidden away in the “experimental” section: a slow, clunky web browser. Why is that so great? Because with the 3G connection I have free access to email, Facebook, etc., in over 100 countries.

The browser is too painful to be my only way of getting online, but in a pinch it’s fantastic. This is the only Kindle model that has this feature. All the other 3G versions only let you access Wikipedia and the Amazon store.

I considered a tablet instead, but for reading on the road there was really no contest. The Kindle is cheaper, smaller and lighter, the battery life is measured in weeks rather than hours, the screen is so much better in sunlight, and I can happily lie on the beach without worrying about it.

Thanks to a cheap case I bought off eBay, it looks like a plain notebook if I need to pull it out on the street to check directions. There’s no way I’d even think of doing that with any tablet. I’d be far too much of a target.

Backup

I worked in IT when I wasn’t traveling, so data backup has long been a concern of mine. I just know too many travelers who have lost irreplaceable data due to hard drive failures and theft, among other reasons. Do you want to lose every single photo from your US road trip, your cruise on Halong Bay, and everywhere else you’ve been? Probably not.

I copy photos to my laptop each night, then use Crashplan+ to do the rest. For a few bucks a month it automatically manages backups to both online storage and a portable hard drive that I keep in my pack, all without me having to think about it. Before splashing out on that subscription I backed everything up manually, but found that I was forgetting to do it too often for my liking.

Although I use a Seagate portable drive and it works fine, I’d be looking at the rugged Transcend version if I were buying a new one.

For the small amount of hassle involved, the peace of mind is more than worth it. Don’t risk losing all of your digital memories.

Miscellaneous

Other than the chargers and cables that always seem to tie themselves in knots overnight, the only other gadgets I put in my pack are a universal power adapter and a four-way power box.

You’d struggle to spend more than $25 on the combination if you tried, and they take up very little room in my bag, yet are worth their weight in gold every time I get to a dorm room with one power socket for the 12 people staying in it. I plug all of my devices into the four-way box, connect it to the wall socket via my universal adapter, and I’m done. Easy.

Choosing the right gear to travel with doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Making a few smart choices and limiting yourself to what you truly need will give you all of the benefits that technology can bring while avoiding most of the downsides. Spend a bit of time and money getting it right before you leave — trust me, it will save an awful lot of frustration once you’re out there on the road.

Dave is one half of the team at Too Many Adapters, a site devoted to technology for travelers. A geek as long as he can remember, he worked in IT around the world for 15 years, combining his love of all things nerdy with an overwhelming travel addiction. Now based out of a backpack long term, Dave writes about travel and tech from anywhere with half-decent Internet and a great view. You can also find him talking about the life of a long-term traveler at What’s Dave Doing?

4 Travel Gadgets Actually Worth Buying

Each month, Dave Dean from Too Many Adapters gives us great tips and advice on travel tech and gear. There’s so many options to choose from that Dave is here to tell us what gear and tech is worth it – and what should be avoided, speaking from his own personal experience. This month’s column is about gadgets worth taking on the road.

It’s surprisingly hard to find travel gear that delivers. There’s the tiny solar charger that took five days to half-charge my phone, the wind-up flashlight with a handle that snapped off the first time I used it, the travel mouse that chewed through batteries in a week, and the countless others I’ve tried and discarded over the years.

When space in your bag is limited, travel gear really has to work hard to justify its place on your packing list. To start with, they have to be able to go the distance — getting dirty, wet, jammed into backpacks, dropped, knocked around, and plugged into terrible electricity supplies. If they can’t, they’ll break in a hurry.

They also need to be small, light, and genuinely useful. Something you’ll use frequently and that noticeably improves your trip in some way.

With criteria like that, it’s no surprise there aren’t many tech gadgets I recommend for travel. But, now and then, I do come across something that bucks the trend and hits the sweet spot in terms of price, function, weight and reliability. Here are my current favorite pieces of gear for the tech traveler:

Mazzo Powerdrive

If you asked almost any smartphone owner what they want more of, it’s battery life and storage space.

The Mazzo Powerdrive deals with both problems at once, in an elegant and reasonably inexpensive device. I first came across it during its Kickstarter campaign and had the chance to use it earlier this year. It’s about the size of a deck of cards and weighs 7.5 oz. (around 215g). That’s not super light, but it’s not heavy enough to put you off keeping it in your daypack.

Inside sits a 7800mAh battery pack, and between 16Gb and 128Gb of storage. You can charge two USB-powered devices from it at once, and the battery is big enough to charge an iPhone 6 up to three times. The storage is designed for iOS, but I was able to get it working with my particular Android devices as well with an extra cable.

You’ll pay between $79 and $249 on Amazon, depending on the amount of storage.

This is an awesome device for those looking for extra storage space and power.

Monster Travel Power Strip

Charging my devices when I travel used to be a major pain (I have a lot). I have several devices from around the world, which means a mixture of different plugs and adapters needed whenever I want to charge a device… plus, lots of sockets!

I swapped out all of my non-US power cords then bought a Monster travel power strip to plug them all into. It’s lightweight and only around six inches long, and the cable wraps lengthwise around the strip to stay in place when I’m on the move.

I opted for the one with three US sockets and a single USB port, but there’s also a version that has four US sockets. Yet another variation has three sockets and two USB ports, and plugs directly into the wall.

Regardless of which option you go for, this lightweight power strip allows you to charge multiple devices from one outlet without the hassle of having lots of adapters too!

Chargers, Adapters, and Cables

Speaking of travel adapters, there are a lot of overpriced junk ones out there. I’ve seen country-specific adapters going for as much as $20 at airport stores, and they looked like the kind of thing that wouldn’t last a week.

Unless you know for certain that all the countries you’ll visit on your trip use the same plug type, buy a universal adapter. I’ve been using a super cheap model (four bucks on Amazon!) for four years — I had to replace it once when it stopped working, but I figure $2/year isn’t a bad investment.

I also like multi-part adapters — they’re more expensive but tend to have more options. Some models also includes a USB socket, which is a nice touch.

It’s also worth packing a USB charger. If your phone or tablet didn’t come with one, a decent dual-port charger will set you back around $10 — just be sure that at least one port is rated at 2.1 amps so tablets will charge properly.

Corsair Flash Survivor USB stick

A USB stick is useful for travelers as it’s the easiest way to share video files or lots of photos, and to get things like boarding passes printed out without logging into email on dodgy computers in hostels and internet cafes.

The Corsair Flash Survivor is a shockproof, waterproof, dustproof USB stick that comes in capacities up to 256GB. That’s enough space to back up photos from even the longest trips, as well as store enough music and movies to keep you entertained. That means you won’t need to carry a separate portable hard drive for backups, which often break and take up a lot of space.

You’ll pay a little under $100 for the 128Gb version, or around $150 for the highest capacity. That’s not bad for an almost-unbreakable, multipurpose backup device that fits in your pocket.

The key thing to remember when picking travel tech is don’t get carried away — easy to end up with far too much in your luggage. Pick a few accessories that combine two or more different functions into one device. Look for things that will save frustration, time, money, and space in your bag.

If you do, you’ll have an easier, more enjoyable trip — without carrying 20 pounds of electronic junk in your backpack.

For more advice and tips on the best travel gear, visit this page.

Dave runs Too Many Adapters, a site devoted to technology for travelers. A geek as long as he can remember, he worked in IT for 15 years. Now based out of a backpack long term, Dave writes about travel and tech from anywhere with half-decent Internet and a great view. You can also find him talking about the life of a long-term traveller at What’s Dave Doing?

11 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Europe (Video)

Jetsetting to Europe for the first time can be both a blessing and a curse. Though you’ll never forget the once-in-a-lifetime moments like first seeing the Eiffel Tower or taking a gondola through the canals of Venice, if you go unprepared, these beautiful memories can be tarnished by rookie mistakes.

To avoid all that from happening, we’ve laid out exactly what not to do overseas. Learning from the following rookie mistakes ahead of your trip will minimize the stress of traveling, while also saving you time and money.

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1. Taking a Cab

Nope, not even from the airport. Most major European cities have reliable public transportation, so use it as soon as you arrive. Not only will it give you a better feel of the area, you’ll save money by avoiding high cab fares. And if there’s ever an option to walk, and you're able, don't miss a chance to experience the historic streets.

2. Buying Tickets Late

Waiting to get museum or popular sight tickets when you’re there is a bad idea. Scrambling last-minute — especially in Paris or Rome — will either leave you in a terribly long line or worse, the venue will reach capacity and you may not even be able to enter at all. Do yourself a favor and book all that you want to see in advance.

3. Settling for the First Restaurant You See

Don’t be surprised if the prix fixe option by the mob of tourists isn’t as good as you’d hope. When it comes to food, don’t take any chances. Do your research and make a separate meal itinerary with reservations to local hot spots that will likely be more affordable or at least worth your money.

4. Carrying a Ton of Cash

Don’t worry, a lot of places actually take credit cards and we bet you have one in your wallet that won’t charge foreign transactions fees. (If you don't, look into signing up for one.) While it's good to carry some cash, don't carry around a ton.

5. Not Spending Plenty of Time Outside

Europeans love eating and drinking outdoors, so do as they do. Bring along a picnic blanket, pick up some refreshments at a grocery store, and have one of your meals at a plaza or by a river. It’s a budget-friendly and fun way to switch things up so you aren't constantly dining out.

6. Forgetting to Check Your Phone Plan

More mobile carriers are incorporating international roaming with their plans. Read through your plan’s details or give the company a quick call a few days before leaving to see if you have data abroad. Don’t miss out on being able to use your Google Maps app.

7. Ordering All the Bread and Water

You probably think these things are a given, but at many restaurants they’re not free and can quickly drive up your bill. Unless you’re sure you want it, make it a point to refuse that bread basket once you sit down. To cost-effectively steer clear of dehydration, grab a jug of water for a fraction of the cost at a convenient store, fill up a water bottle, and carry it with you.

8. Not Claiming Your Refund

If you went shopping in Europe, you may be eligible for a VAT refund (http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/budgeting-currency/how-to-handle-vat). All you need to do is ask the retailer for the proper documentation and show it to the proper agents at the airport. The exact processes may work differently in each country, but getting money back makes them all worth a try.

9. Ignoring 24-hour Time

If you’re on a schedule or have timely plans, we recommend setting your phone to 24-hour, or military time, to make sure you don’t miss anything. I once hung out at the Real Madrid gift shop while the game was already going on because I misread the time — don’t make the same silly mistake I did.

10. Downplaying Comfort

Regardless of where you’re off to, there will be walking involved and it’s important to pack accordingly. Exploring in uncomfortable attire or footwear is no joke. Don’t be that person who complains and slows others down because you’re dressed inappropriately. Trust me — been there, done that, and it’s awful for everyone. (If you don't already have a go-to travel shoe, here are some comfortable, travel-friendly shoes to consider.)

11. Neglecting to Smile

Even if you remember not to do all the things on this list, there will likely be some bumps along the road. However, you can’t let just any mishap get you down because at the end of the day, you’re on vacation — and probably somewhere beautiful. Take a deep breath, and enjoy yourself.

17 Incredible Lighthouses Worth Planning a Trip Around

Every bucket list needs a good lighthouse. Or two. Or 17. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from around the world, whether you’re looking for a European getaway with a panoramic seaside view or a domestic adventure that takes you back in time.

There are even lighthouses that have been transformed into hotels, which offer enthusiasts the novelty of bedding down in a piece of seafaring history.

Intrigued by the possibility of living inside an impressionist painting? Read on for our 17 favorite lighthouses around the world.

What It's Really Like Flying Business Class on Emirates

Many years ago, when I flew Emirates for the first time—to India via Dubai—my experience was a revelation. This was the early days of the Middle Eastern carrier’s expansion, and it hadn’t yet entered entered into the global consciousness as a world-class brand. Yet here was a thoroughly modern experience: brand-new aircraft product; a sophisticated, international flight crew; some of the best entertainment, dining, and amenities in the air.

On that trip, I flew both in business and in first class—first was especially noteworthy, with semi-enclosed cabins which at that time were a totally new phenomenon—and both were exceptional experiences. I felt I had definitely experienced an airline on the up and up, an assessment that proved correct.

Fast forward to today and, despite that positive early experience, I haven’t actually flown Emirates too much over the years. Although the airline’s rapid expansion of routes and fleet—including its enthusiastic and early embrace of the Airbus A380—make routing through its Dubai hub easy, for those of us who guard our status in one alliance or another, the inability to earn miles/points from Emirates flights on most of the major carriers serves as a not insignificant deterrent. (If you’re a loyalist of Alaska, Virgin America, or JetBlue, or a handful of international carriers like Korean Air, Quantas, and Japan Airlines, then you’re in luck, but those with status on American, United, or Delta won’t accrue points from Emirates flights—no matter how long.)

So a few months ago, when Emirates offered to fly me in business class to the Seychelles via Dubai—the carrier has some of the easiest connections to the Indian Ocean nation—I decided to give it a go, to evaluate whether it’s worth it for most travelers to forego the miles in exchange for what is meant to be an exceptional experience.

My conclusion is that Emirates, at least in business class, still stands out relative to other carriers in certain aspects and is on par with top-tier competitive products in most others, and it’s therefore well worth considering, particularly in instances where direct flights from the U.S. to your final destination are not an option and the routing through Dubai provides a convenient connection.

Read on for a step-by-step description of the experience on one leg of my journey: flying home to New York from Dubai on an A380.

Watch: Nine Packing Hacks That Will Lighten Your Suitcase

This story originally appeared on Money.com

Related: Explore the Best in Travel 2016

These days, it’s pretty expensive to check your bags. The median fee is $25 for your first bag and $35 for your second. Fly roundtrip with a family of four, and you’re looking at an extra $200 in fees.

Related: Best Travel Credit Cards

Looking to avoid the charges? You could fly Southwest, MONEY’s Best in Travel Awards Platinum winner for Best Airline. Your first and second checked bags come with no additional charge. Or you could attain elite status on a frequent flier program.

Related: Best Money-Saving Travel Apps

Or you could pack lighter. In the video above, our travel experts show you how to fit 10 days’ worth of necessities in a carry-on suitcase. Win-win: Save money, and avoid heavy lifting.

Travel Budgeting and Currency

Being in a foreign place can be eye-opening and invigorating, but when it comes to finding quality and luxury in travel, it all comes down to a matter of money. Wherever you are, and wherever you’re going, travel money is what gets you from point A to point B, gets you the food on your plate, the room view you want, and the experiences you can’t justify missing. Handling foreign currency can get complicated: money is not worth the same amount in every country, and because your home currency is often not accepted, currency exchange is unavoidable. With the right planning and research, Travel + Leisure can help break down the rules so you don’t get hit paying unnecessary fees.

Exchange rates

Exchange rates differ widely across country borders and fluctuate constantly according to how well the economy is doing. The best way to check up on the most recent currency exchange rates is by visiting Oanda.com. Oftentimes, travelers use this knowledge to their advantage by vacationing where their dollar is currently worth most and avoiding those destinations where their dollar is worth the least.

The best way to exchange currency is to find out if your bank has an affiliate abroad (such as Barclays and Bank of America), which offers the best exchange rates. Hotel and airport counters, in contrast, typically offer poorer rates and high commission fees for the service, while out-of-network ATMs can charge you up to three percent for withdrawing cash. To avoid this, use a credit card that waives all transaction fees, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Another tip when traveling: try and use up all the foreign bills and coins on you before leaving said country. Often, exchanging these bills back into your home currency can cost you—an extra fee you can avoid completely if you’re mindful.

For more tips and tricks on cards and currency, be sure to check back here for the most up-to-date information.