Identity and international travel

One of the best things about travel is eating—obviously. But for people with dietary constraints or food allergies, eating on a trip can require a bit of extra planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Plan in advance, share your dietary needs with both your group and your Tour Director before your trip begins. You can even share these concerns with us in your online account! Chances are, your Tour Director will also reach out for this info so they can be prepared.
• Create a food translation card in the language local to where you’re traveling. This is such an easy way to communicate without needing to learn a bunch of new words and phrases. Pro tip: Don’t forget to include details on how the food is prepared!
• Ask someone you trust if they’d be willing to administer medication or communicate with medical staff on your behalf (juuuuust in case).

Other things to do before you travel:

• Connect with your doctor about getting a medical bracelet explaining your dietary issues
• Prepare and pack any necessary medications

Want more tips? We got you:

• Find Me Gluten Free: Find gluten-free friendly restaurants near you →
• FoodAllergy.org - Tips for International Travel →
• Kosher Without Borders: Find Kosher restaurants around the world →
• HappyCow.net - Find vegan & vegetarian restaurants near you →

We’re here to discuss any specific accommodations that travelers with limited mobility or other disabilities may need. Each destination poses its own unique challenges, and we want to help set the right expectations before you travel. Let’s work through it together to find a solution that’s right for you.

We found some super-helpful resources that’ll be useful as you research and prepare for travel. Keep in mind that group travel with Ultimate Break will be a bit different than the personal travel you may be used to.

• U.S. Department of State: Before You Go - Traveling with Disabilities →
• CDC Yellow Book: Travelers with Disabilities →
• The Guardian Interviews: Tips on taking trips from disabled travelers →
• Mobility International USA: How Will I Pay for Personal Assistance Abroad? →
• Wheelchair Travel Blog: 3 Ways to Maximize Wheelchair Battery Life →
• Accessibility and Self-Advocacy While Traveling as a Deaf Person →

Traveling abroad as a first-generation traveler can be intimidating. But you’re not alone—we’re here to support you every step of the way. We’ve helped so many people explore the world for the first time and are standing by to do the same for you.

The 3rd Annual First-Time Traveler Scholarship will be announced shortly - check back soon!

Want more tips? We got you:

• Handy Tips for First-Generation Travelers →

LGBTQ+ travelers may face a unique set of challenges and experiences when traveling abroad. You may find that attitudes and laws differ internationally, and we recommend researching each of your destinations so you know what to expect. Start here:

• U.S.  State Department:  Information for LGBTQ+ travelers →
• EqualDex:  Country by country analysis of LGBTQ+ acceptance →
• National Center for Transgender Equality’s travel page →
• National Center for Transgender Equality’s tips for navigating airport security →
• ILGA World: State-Sponsored Homophobia report →

Let’s face it, preparing to travel abroad can be equal parts exciting and stressful. We take this seriously, and are always here to support your mental-health and self-care needs. Click around a bit for some useful info on how to take on adventure while staying in the right head space.

• CDC Advice for Travelers: Mental Health →
• Anxiety & Depression Association of America →

Try journaling before your trip begins.  Here are two prompts to get you started:

• Sometimes things are outside of your control—in daily life and in travel—but it’s important to remember there are always small things you can control. Write two lists, one of things you can control while traveling, and another of the things you can’t.
• Describe your emotions with as much detail as possible by using this list. Research has found that a better emotional vocabulary can help you identify, work with, and regulate your emotions.

We recognize that our plus-size travelers may have concerns regarding their experience traveling abroad. Of course, we want you to feel safe and comfortable in every space, so we collected a few resources to help you prepare for travel.

• Traveling to Europe as a Plus-Size Woman →
• PlusSizeTravelToo.com - Tips for using airport assistance →

So many travelers tell us that their favorite thing about travel is connecting with people from different cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and ethnicities. Before you travel, it might make you more comfortable to understand how your race and identity will be perceived in the context of your destination(s). Dive in:

• Diversity Abroad: Culture & Diversity Destination Guides →
• Diversity Abroad: Managing Black Hair Abroad →

In many places, religion and culture go hand in hand. So when you explore the world, you can expect to learn about the popular belief systems of your destination(s). Before traveling, you might want to do some research. Will you be part of a religious minority or majority? How tolerant is your destination of diverse beliefs? You may even want to visit a place of worship.

Here are a couple of resources to help you prepare:

• U.S. Department of State: International Religious Freedom Reports →
• Harvard University: The Pluralism Project →

Like many other identities, it is important to reflect upon how your veteran or active military status will impact your experience abroad. Some questions to consider before traveling are: How is the military viewed in the country I am traveling to? How will that affect my experience as I learn about the people and culture in the places I’m visiting?