For Currency and Exchange Rates at your destination XE™
claims to be the world's favorite provider of online internet foreign exchange tools and services, including currency exchange rates. Arthur Frommer identifies http://www.xe.com as one of the ten best travel websites, specifically for currency exchange rates. This website supplies you with up-to-the-minute exchange rates for all the world's currencies, enabling you to know the dollar equivlaent of foreign prices. Frommer further recommends that you obtain your foreign currency from ATM machines in all foreign cities of any size as you will do much better at an ATM as compared to foreign exchange kiosks and counters (Frommer, 2010). Arthur Frommer is the founder of the Frommer's Travel Guide book series.
Download the free XE Curremcy app to your smartphone for the information on the go. XE Currency app is available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Phone 7.
XE™. (2013). XE - The World's Favorite Currency and Foreign Exchange Site. Retrieved March 30, 2013. from http://www.xe.com
Are you driving Internationally? Most countries accept
an International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are honored in more than 150
countries outside the U.S. and function as an official translation of a U.S.
driver's license into 10 foreign languages. Brazil, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago require the Inter-American Driving Permit (IADP). The U.S. Department of State specifically mentions two entities as authorized to issue international driving permits to U.S. citizens. These documents are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses
and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license. The Automobile Association of America (AAA) is one automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs and IADPs. Information is available at http://www.aaa.com/PPInternational/IDP_IADP.html and http://www.aaa.com/ppinternational/IDP_IADP_Apply.html
A second International driving permit option is available from the National Automobile Club. Most countries accept the International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the U.S. and function as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages. The U.S. Department of State specifically mentions only two entities as authorized to issue international driving permits to U.S. citizens. These documents are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license. The National Automobile Club is one automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs. Information is available at http://www.nationalautoclub.com/idp_faqs.htm or http://www.thenac.com/idp_faqs.htm
Need to brush up on your language skills? Founded in 2007, Mango Languages is a leading provider of self-study language learning services to libraries, government agencies, corporations and the general public. Designed by a team of linguists, teachers, software developers, human interface specialists, writers, voice talents and designers, this tool is recommended by Choice Reviews Online for professionals, undergraduate students, and general readers. Look for this resource at many local libraries and download the app to your smartphone for learning on-the-go. The Mango Languages app is currently available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices.
World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. WHO is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. Of particular interest to the international traveler is the link to disease outbreak news in case there is a health related situation in a location in or near your destination. The infectious disease link in the WHO website is http://www.who.int/topics/infectious_diseases/en/ in a location in or near your destination. The U.S. State Department refers U.S. citizens living abroad or traveling internationally to the infiectious diseases section of the WHO website for information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad (Bureau of Consular Affairs).