Are you planning an overseas trip? Are you also planning to drive once you’re there?

Remember, you are literally going to be in uncharted territory. First, reserve your car before you leave the United States, and understand the definition of terms.

What we think is a compact here is a micro car there.

Translation: the car may not even be big enough to hold your luggage. Always request automatic transmission.

In the United States, that’s a given but not overseas. If you don’t, you’ll get stuck with a stick. And then there’s our dependency on technology. Don’t just count on the GPS on your smartphone.

Bring paper road maps. They have saved me time and time again. They’re also helpful when you stop strangers for directions. You actually have something to show them.