Planning ahead is the key to a successful foreign experience. The sites listed below will help get you started and provide vital information for traveling abroad.

Transitions Abroad is an online guide to practical information on affordable alternatives to mass tourism: living, working, studying, or vacationing alongside the people of the host country.

Important U.S. State Department publications providing vital information about everything from applying for a passport to tips on personal safety:
Your Trip Abroad  and A Safe Trip Abroad

Official State Department passport site: Applying For or Renewing a Passport

The Electronic Embassy Quick links to all of U.S.-based foreign embassies, many of which provide cultural information in addition to essential official information for travel.

MapMachine The National Geographic comprehensive collection of maps for all counties and areas of the world.

CIA World Fact Book is produced annually by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. The World Fact Book contains rather specific information about the countries of the world.

Interactive Currency Table provides a list of currency values relative to the base currency that you specify.

One very good site for learning about the area to which you will be traveling is the State Department Travel Advisories page. These bulletins include basic information on travel, crime, medical facilities, embassy and consulate locations and so forth.