A – Address peel and stick labels for all your family and friends before you go. Then stick to postcards along the way and you'll come home looking good.

B – Bottled water is a must – don't drink anything else.

C – Cookbooks from your travels are always a great souvenir. Cook a dish from one when you have friends over to see your video and pictures.

D – Digital cameras save the day; their small and you never run out of film.

E – Expect excitement; go with anticipation, not trepidation.

F - Food is fun, try something you've never eaten before like zebra pate or Australian wine.

G - Give generous tips, especially in poor countries, you'll be so glad you did.

H - Hang out with the locals. Get to know a new person on your trip and get a photo with them.

I - Inform someone at home of your itinerary.

J - Journal every day. Can you remember now what you did last week?

K - Kids love it when you have packed little surprises to open along the way.

L - Learn something: Take a pasta making course in Italy, Scuba diving in Argentina or Belly dancing in Bagdad (just kidding)!

N - Note the local artisans and buy something authentic.

O - One substantial souvenir is better than a lot of small things. Then ship it home to lighten your luggage.

P - Postcards will rescue you when your photography fails. You can never have too many.

Q - Questions help you get the most out of all you see and experience.

R - Read before you leave. Read lots of books about your destination. Find out who the local best sellers are, and read one of their books.

S - Scrapbook within the first week of getting home.

T - Travel as light as humanly possible. Dragging luggage is no fun.

U - Unpack as soon as you get home.

V - Vaccinations and certain medications are necessary in some countries - be sure to check with the World Health Organization about what you need.

W - Whining never fixes anything - buck up and deal with the differences.

X - exchange your currency at the airport or a bank and be sure you understand the value of your money.

Y - You are the one who will make or break your adventure. Plan to be positive.

Z - Zero in on one or two experiences and squeeze the most out of them. Adventure overload will leave you confused.