First and foremost, consider jet lag like an annoying, but persistent door to door salesman. If you ignore him, he’ll eventually go away. But if you open the door and let him in, your whole day will be ruined. Fight it. Keep moving, drink some coffee, do some jumping jacks, whatever it takes. Just don’t go to bed until the locals do (even if it’s just to take a “little nap”.). You’ve spent too much time, too much effort, and too much money to waste it away sleeping in a hotel room! After a couple of days, he’ll quit knocking, you’ll be adjusted, and you won’t have to worry about him anymore.

Paying for stuff: Withdraw money from a bank or ATM, and pay cash instead of using your debit card everywhere you go. Why, you might ask. It’s because most transactions paid with foreign credit or debit cards, a small percentage fee is tacked on EVERY time you use it, and that can add up. My bank does charge for ATM withdrawals not made at any of its locations, so I usually try and withdraw $300 or $400 a time to minimize the number of times I am charged. I carry the majority of it in my travel wallet, and spending money for the day in my front pocket so that I can get at it easy. Try and use ATMs at reputable big banks, so that you can be assured you’re not charged another fee, or given a shady exchange rate that some less reputable places tend to apply as well.

Reservations: Many of the bigger tourist attractions and museums offer time specific reservations for admittance (taken over the phone, or some even online). Take advantage of these if offered, and it can save lots of wasted time standing in line with all of those stupid tourists that didn’t plan ahead. Most hotel owners, or concierges will even be happy to make them for you.

Eat where, and what the locals eat. The best travel guide books have great recommendations for off the beaten path jewels. Utilize them, instead of just getting a quick bite at the overpriced, crappy, tourist “friendly” places right next door to the attractions. And when you’re there, try not to always order American dishes like hamburgers, or pizza. Ask the server what they recommend, or what items are the most popular amongst the regulars. Who knows, you might find out that you like something that you never thought you would.

Smart phone users: If you’re like me, your smart phone is your link to the world, but be weary of not only voice roaming charges, but the outrageous data roaming charges will scare the every-living crap out of you upon your return, and haunt you for the months to come. I would suggest A: turning off all push notifications on your phone. B: Keeping it on airplane mode unless you need to make a call, or you are sure you’re connected to a WiFi network.

For making calls, I would suggest using Apps like Yahoo Messenger, or even better Google Voice. Google Voice assigns you a new, US-based phone number, that you can have your real number forwarded to. As long as you are in a WiFi zone, you can make calls to any US phone number for a penny a minute, and international calls (i.e. calling your hotel across town) for only ten cents a minute.

Keep in mind what things and Apps on your phone are downloaded, and which need access to the internet to work or view. For instance, there are great translation Apps out there, but most require connecting to the App’s server to work. Emails with itineraries, I would recommend saving those as photos, so you wouldn’t have the risk of data fees as well.